AP, United Nations :
The United Nations on Friday reported 31 new allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation against peacekeepers and civilians working for U.N. agencies in the three-month period from July and through September – almost half against those employed to help refugees.
U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric released the figures and said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “is obviously disappointed and saddened that these actions continue.” The United Nations has been in the spotlight for several years over allegations of child rape and other sexual abuses by its peacekeepers, especially those based in Central African Republic and Congo.
According to U.N. figures, there were 80 allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse involving U.N. peacekeepers and 65 allegations involved U.N. civilian staff in 2016 – an increase from 2015.
Guterres announced new measures in March to tackle the increase in sexual abuse and exploitation by U.N. peacekeepers and staff, including a new focus on victims and bans on alcohol and fraternization for troops.
According to Dujarric, there were 12 allegations against peacekeepers and 19 against civilians working for U.N. agencies between July 1 and Sept. 30.
Fifteen of the allegations involved the Geneva-based U.N. refugee agency known as UNHCR which helps more than 22 million people who have fled to another country, he said. Three involved civilians working for the U.N. migration agency, the International Office for Migration, and one who worked for the U.N. children’s agency UNICEF.
This was the first three-month update and Dujarric said the U.N. will continue the practice of quarterly reporting.
Of the 12 U.N. peacekeepers alleged to have been involved in sexual abuse or exploitation, he said four were serving in Congo, three in Liberia, two in Central African Republic, and one each in Mali, Haiti and South Sudan.
The other alleged perpetrators included five civilians from host countries working for the U.N., 10 civilians helping to implement U.N. programs, and three U.N. consultants, Dujarric said.
The alleged victims included at least 24 women and six girls, he said.
As for the allegations, Dujarric said an investigation had substantiated one claim involving UNHCR.
The United Nations on Friday reported 31 new allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation against peacekeepers and civilians working for U.N. agencies in the three-month period from July and through September – almost half against those employed to help refugees.
U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric released the figures and said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “is obviously disappointed and saddened that these actions continue.” The United Nations has been in the spotlight for several years over allegations of child rape and other sexual abuses by its peacekeepers, especially those based in Central African Republic and Congo.
According to U.N. figures, there were 80 allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse involving U.N. peacekeepers and 65 allegations involved U.N. civilian staff in 2016 – an increase from 2015.
Guterres announced new measures in March to tackle the increase in sexual abuse and exploitation by U.N. peacekeepers and staff, including a new focus on victims and bans on alcohol and fraternization for troops.
According to Dujarric, there were 12 allegations against peacekeepers and 19 against civilians working for U.N. agencies between July 1 and Sept. 30.
Fifteen of the allegations involved the Geneva-based U.N. refugee agency known as UNHCR which helps more than 22 million people who have fled to another country, he said. Three involved civilians working for the U.N. migration agency, the International Office for Migration, and one who worked for the U.N. children’s agency UNICEF.
This was the first three-month update and Dujarric said the U.N. will continue the practice of quarterly reporting.
Of the 12 U.N. peacekeepers alleged to have been involved in sexual abuse or exploitation, he said four were serving in Congo, three in Liberia, two in Central African Republic, and one each in Mali, Haiti and South Sudan.
The other alleged perpetrators included five civilians from host countries working for the U.N., 10 civilians helping to implement U.N. programs, and three U.N. consultants, Dujarric said.
The alleged victims included at least 24 women and six girls, he said.
As for the allegations, Dujarric said an investigation had substantiated one claim involving UNHCR.
