UN chief hails new Security Council resolution to curb sexual abuses by blue helmets

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday welcomed the UN Security Council's adoption of the first-ever resolution to tackle rising cases of sexual abuses by UN peacekeepers.

Ban, in a statement issued by his spokesman here, said that the move is a significant step to combat the terrible damage caused to relevant victims.

"The resolution, which endorses the special measures recommended by the secretary-general to prevent and combat sexual exploitation and abuse by UN peacekeepers, is a significant step in our collective efforts to combat the terrible damage caused to victims of sexual exploitation and abuse," the statement said.

"The secretary-general is pleased that the Members of the Security Council have echoed the concerns that he has been raising for months in order to shine a light on a difficult issue," it added.

In the new resolution adopted on Friday, the 15-nation council specifically endorsed the decision of the secretary-general "to repatriate a particular military unit or formed police unit of a contingent when there is credible evidence of widespread or systemic sexual exploitation and abuse by that unit."

The resolution also highlighted the council's deep concern over the "continuing and serious allegations" of sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers in the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (CAR), as well as in other UN peacekeeping operations and by non-UN forces.

Ban's focus is to "make a difference for victims, ensuring protection and support for victims, and to demand zero impunity, emphasizing that accountability is a shared responsibility requiring action by member states," the statement said.

"It is only by working with member states, especially troop contributing countries, that we will be able to ensure accountability and justice for the victims," the statement noted.

Ban reiterates his call for member states to "work closely with the United Nations to effectively implement the measures he has put forward," according to the statement.

Under UN rules, it is up to the country that contributes the peacekeepers to investigate and prosecute any soldier accused of misconduct while serving under the UN flag.

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 was adopted in response to Ban's annual report on measures to curb sexual exploitation and abuse within the UN system.

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