Saturday, November 20, 2004
How much do we trust this organization?
Once again, scandal at the UN. Not only have there been stories about how the UN workers don't trust their administrators, but now we have this story about sexual abuse in the Congo:
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has said there is clear evidence that UN staff sexually abused refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Allegations of abuse at UN camps surfaced last year, prompting the UN's internal watchdog to launch an inquiry.
After being briefed on its progress, Mr Annan said a small number of civilian and military personnel had committed "shameful" acts of gross misconduct.
He added that those involved must be held accountable.
Two years ago, a UN investigation rejected similar allegations of sexual exploitation of refugees by UN staff in West Africa.
'Outraged'
In a statement released in Nairobi, Mr Annan said he had received a "detailed briefing... about the investigations which the UN initiated some time ago into allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by both civilian and military peacekeeping personnel in the DRC".
He added: "I am afraid there is clear evidence that acts of gross misconduct have taken place. This is a shameful thing for the United Nations to have to say, and I am absolutely outraged by it.
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has said there is clear evidence that UN staff sexually abused refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Allegations of abuse at UN camps surfaced last year, prompting the UN's internal watchdog to launch an inquiry.
After being briefed on its progress, Mr Annan said a small number of civilian and military personnel had committed "shameful" acts of gross misconduct.
He added that those involved must be held accountable.
Two years ago, a UN investigation rejected similar allegations of sexual exploitation of refugees by UN staff in West Africa.
'Outraged'
In a statement released in Nairobi, Mr Annan said he had received a "detailed briefing... about the investigations which the UN initiated some time ago into allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by both civilian and military peacekeeping personnel in the DRC".
He added: "I am afraid there is clear evidence that acts of gross misconduct have taken place. This is a shameful thing for the United Nations to have to say, and I am absolutely outraged by it.
# posted by Knitting a Conundrum @ 7:30 AM 
