UN Struggles to Handle Sexual Offenses by Peacekeepers

The United Nation is still stumbling over its power to regulate soldiers, as a BBC investigation exposes new accusations of sexual abuse of its peacekeepers.

Their missions prove perilous as UN peacekeepers crouch in armored cars with guns drawn, tracing the rooftops and alleyways in their sites in Haiti's capital, Port au Prince. Peacekeepers have given their lives here.

Although UN soldiers face tests of bravery almost daily on their missions, out of the 9,000 peacekeepers in Haiti, some of them take advantage of their positions and exploit the very people they have been sent to protect.

According to BBC reporter, Mike Williams, one peacekeeper offered a 14-year-old girl, jelly, sweets and a few dollars for sex with her and her 11-year-old friend.

Another girl, a 16-year-old, who Williams calls "Sarah," said that a Brazilian soldier serving with UN two years ago raped her.

"He held me down by my arms and held both my wrists, twisting them back and we struggled together. And then he raped me," the 16-year-old said.

Her family, seeking justice, has only been told by the local UN mission, that justice was done. An investigation had found that there was insufficient evidence against the Brazilian soldier and he was sent back to his country.

When the sexual exploitation of several UN peacekeepers was uncovered in the Democratic of the Congo, UN Secretary-General, Kofi Anan claimed this issue was "an ugly stain" and put in place new measures to address the issue. One step was to including a desk-to-dawn curfew for military personnel and a ban on unauthorized contact with local residents.

According to the magazine Africa Renewal reporter, Michael Fleshman, the UN is finding it difficult to maintain discipline over the 80,000 military and personnel that is stretched over 16 countries across the globe. Part of the reason the UN has found its hands tied in regards to enforcing standards of behavior, has to do with the fact that the member countries that contribute peacekeeping missions are solely responsible for their training, command and discipline.

The UN has adopted a "zero tolerance" policy that prohibits sexual activities with people under 18, the exchange of money or food for sexual favors; visits to brothels or other areas declared "off-limits" and any conduct regarded as sexually abusive, exploitive or degrading.

Though this policy has been established its limitation with enforcement only gives room for the UN to make suggestions in regards to punishment for violations when a peacekeeper from contributing country is sited for misconduct. The UN has no authority to bring criminal charges against these troops.

However, many improvements are being made concerning the regulation of peacekeeper conduct. For example, at the UN Headquarters in New York, a permanent unit on sexual abuse and exploitation has been established and officers assigned to monitoring sexual abuse and enforcing UN rules against sexual misconduct have been dispatched to every peacekeeping mission. Also, training now includes the rights of girls and women.

With 103 countries contributing troops, the UN has also found it difficult to reach a consensus for code of conduct, as prostitution and soliciting sex with minors are legal in parts of the world.

Another problem that UN investigators face, is that scared victims and witnesses who are already traumatized by violence and fear of retaliation for cooperation with investigators; can be closed mouth about the incidences. This makes it very difficult to prove any wrongdoing, and can cause the investigation and allegation to be dropped, due to the lack of evidence.