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| U.N., Facing Abuse Scandal, to Withhold Pay of Peacekeepers Accused of Misconduct | U.N., Facing Abuse Scandal, to Withhold Pay of Peacekeepers Accused of Misconduct |
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| UNITED NATIONS — In his most extensive public remarks since a string of sexual abuse allegations against peacekeepers in the Central African Republic, Hervé Ladsous, the United Nations under secretary of peacekeeping affairs, said Friday that he had taken the unprecedented step of suspending the salaries of troops accused of misconduct and had proposed sending soldiers on “rest and recreation” breaks every few months to relieve stress. | |
| “We’re looking at ways and means to provide them with relatively cheap R-and-R trips,” Mr. Ladsous said. He did not say how these holidays would prevent sexual exploitation and abuse, which he called “inexcusable.” | “We’re looking at ways and means to provide them with relatively cheap R-and-R trips,” Mr. Ladsous said. He did not say how these holidays would prevent sexual exploitation and abuse, which he called “inexcusable.” |
| On the same day, his boss, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, said that entire military contingents that show a pattern of abuse against civilians should be sent home. Countries included in his annual reports on sexual violence in conflict would be barred from taking part in peacekeeping missions, Mr. Ban said. (Among the soldiers accused of sexual abuse, some are from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where rape has been used as a weapon of war.) Mr. Ban also said rapid response teams would be sent to investigate allegations of sexual violence. Currently the United Nations depends on the home countries of the peacekeepers to investigate and in turn, inform it of the results. Often, they do not. | On the same day, his boss, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, said that entire military contingents that show a pattern of abuse against civilians should be sent home. Countries included in his annual reports on sexual violence in conflict would be barred from taking part in peacekeeping missions, Mr. Ban said. (Among the soldiers accused of sexual abuse, some are from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where rape has been used as a weapon of war.) Mr. Ban also said rapid response teams would be sent to investigate allegations of sexual violence. Currently the United Nations depends on the home countries of the peacekeepers to investigate and in turn, inform it of the results. Often, they do not. |
| Mr. Ban’s proposals came as part of his response to a high-level panel’s report on upgrading peacekeeping more broadly. | Mr. Ban’s proposals came as part of his response to a high-level panel’s report on upgrading peacekeeping more broadly. |
| The secretary general said this year that he intended to name those countries that do not take action or are unresponsive to requests for information, but only after consulting with their national authorities. | The secretary general said this year that he intended to name those countries that do not take action or are unresponsive to requests for information, but only after consulting with their national authorities. |
| The spotlight on sexual exploitation and abuse in the Central African Republic began in May, when a United Nations official in Geneva, Anders Kompass, was suspended for having leaked information about accusations made by children against French soldiers in the country. The United Nations peacekeeping mission took over in the country a few months later. In the year since, Mr. Ladsous said, it has received 63 allegations of misconduct, including 15 of sexual abuse, several involving children. | The spotlight on sexual exploitation and abuse in the Central African Republic began in May, when a United Nations official in Geneva, Anders Kompass, was suspended for having leaked information about accusations made by children against French soldiers in the country. The United Nations peacekeeping mission took over in the country a few months later. In the year since, Mr. Ladsous said, it has received 63 allegations of misconduct, including 15 of sexual abuse, several involving children. |
| Mr. Ladsous spoke to reporters here after a four-day visit to the Central African Republic last week. In response to a question, Mr. Ladsous said he had not met with anyone who had alleged sexual abuse. | Mr. Ladsous spoke to reporters here after a four-day visit to the Central African Republic last week. In response to a question, Mr. Ladsous said he had not met with anyone who had alleged sexual abuse. |
| His office received new misconduct allegations this week. Mr. Ladsous declined to give any details on Friday. His office later said one peacekeeper had been “engaged in a sexual relationship with a young woman who is now pregnant.” The mission is determining if the civilian was underage when the relations began. | His office received new misconduct allegations this week. Mr. Ladsous declined to give any details on Friday. His office later said one peacekeeper had been “engaged in a sexual relationship with a young woman who is now pregnant.” The mission is determining if the civilian was underage when the relations began. |
| Suspending payments to soldiers of countries that contribute troops is a new policy, Mr. Ladsous said. He said the United Nations planned to suspend payments in nine cases. | Suspending payments to soldiers of countries that contribute troops is a new policy, Mr. Ladsous said. He said the United Nations planned to suspend payments in nine cases. |
| As for rest and relaxation, Mr. Ladsous said some of the soldiers he had met in the Central African Republic had spent more than a year on duty. His office was considering chartering planes “to get them some fresh air.” | As for rest and relaxation, Mr. Ladsous said some of the soldiers he had met in the Central African Republic had spent more than a year on duty. His office was considering chartering planes “to get them some fresh air.” |