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2nd LD Writethru: UN Security Council adopts resolution to confront sexual abuse by peacekeepers

Xinhua, March 12, 2016 Adjust font size:

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.

"We have chosen not to vote against this resolution despite the unilateral method of negotiations on the draft, and the limited time available to carry out due consultations," said Egypt's UN Ambassador Amr Abdellatif Aboulatta.

He said his delegation constantly called for the need to differentiate between combating sexual abuse by peacekeepers and "branding entire states and the troops they contribute."

"It drastically and negatively affects the morale of the troops," he added.

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 contingent repatriation.

Nine members of the Council voted against the amendment including the United States. The amendment failed to be adopted for lack of approval.

U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power said the amendment would water down the measures taken by the resolution.

Power said the original resolution has sent a clear message that there will be "real consequences" if the concerned troop or police contributing country failed to credibly respond to the allegations against their personnel.

The resolution has been under intense negotiations for a week. It has triggered debates among the Council members which indicate that it is beyond the Security Council's competence to address the problem of sexual exploitation and abuse which should be taken charge by the 193-member UN General Assembly.

The resolution is first-ever of its kind to confront increasing allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse conducted by peacekeepers. It is in response to UN secretary-general's annual report on measures to curb sexual exploitation and abuse within the UN system.

Ban's report shows that the total number of 2015 allegations has increased to 99, with 69 of them taking place in countries where peacekeeping operations are deployed. At least 22 children were sexually abused by peacekeepers. Endit