1st LD: UN Security Council adopts resolution to confront sexual abuse by peacekeepers

The UN Security Council on Friday adopted a resolution to take strong action to confront the problem of sexual exploitation and abuse committed by peacekeepers.

The resolution, drafted by the United States, requests UN secretary-general to replace all military and police unit of a troop or police contributing country in UN peacekeeping operations if the country has not taken appropriate actions to investigate their personnel or hold perpetrators accountable.

It also requires the repatriation of a particular military unit or formed police unit of a contingent when there is credible evidence of widespread sexual abuse by that unit.

Fourteen members of the 15-nation Council voted in favor of the resolution. Egypt abstained.

Before voting for the resolution, the Security Council voted for an amendment to the resolution proposed by Egypt, which was intended to slightly adjust the language on conditions of repatriation contingents.

Nine members of the Council voted against the amendment including the United States. U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power said it would water down the measures taken by the resolution.

The amendment failed to be adopted for lack of approval.

The newly-adopted UN Security Council resolution is first-ever of its kind to confront increasing allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse conducted by peacekeepers.

UN statistics show that the total number of allegations of such misconduct for the UN system in 2015 was 99, with 69 of them taking place in countries where peacekeeping operations are deployed. Endit