UN / CAR SEXUAL ABUSE

The UN Secretary-General spokesperson told reporters today, the UN Peacekeeping Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) was investigating fresh allegations concerning sexual exploitation and abuse by its troops in the capital Bangui. UNIFEED-UNTV

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:01:32
• Production Date: 5 January 2016
• Asset Language: English
• Personal Subject: STEPHANE DUJARRIC
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS MULTIDIMENSIONAL INTEGRATED STABILIZATION MISSION IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC - MINUSCA
• Subject Topical: SEXUAL EXPLOITATION
• Geographic Subject: CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
• MAMS Id: 1542859
• Parent Id: 1542859
• Alternate Title: unifeed160105c

Description

STORY: UN / CAR SEXUAL ABUSE
TRT: 01:32
SOURCE: UNIFEED-UNTV
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 05 DECEMBER 2016, UNITED NATIONS / RECENT, NEW YORK CITY, USA

Shotlist

RECENT, NEW YORK CITY, USA

1. Wide shot, exterior United Nations Headquarters

05 DECEMBER 2016, UNITED NATIONS

2. Wide shot, press briefing in progress
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Stephane Dujarric, United Nations Secretary-General Spokesperson:
“The UN Peacekeeping Mission in Central African Republic is investigating new allegations concerning both sexual exploitation and abuse and other misconduct by other peacekeepers in Bangui.”
4. Med shot, press briefing in progress
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Stephane Dujarric, United Nations Secretary-General Spokesperson:
“The Special Representative reiterated the mission’s unwavering commitment to the Secretary-General’s zero tolerance policy, and reminded them that there will be no complacency for perpetrators or accomplishes of such crimes which traumatise the lives of vulnerable people, and which also tarnish the peacekeepers’ identity, the honour of their country and the UN flag.”
6. Wide shot, press briefing in progress
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Stephane Dujarric, United Nations Secretary-General Spokesperson:
“He also announced ongoing discussions with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to carry out joint actions as part of the reinforcement of the UN Mission’s ability to combat sexual exploitation and abuse. Other upcoming measures include the establishment of a police-force joint brigade to identify sexual (exploitation) and abuse perpetrators and deter the occurrence of new cases. He underlined the need to conduct patrols in camps for internally displaced people in close collaboration with Central African Republic’s internal security forces. He also renewed his commitment to protect whistle-blowers.”
8. Zoom out, closing of press briefing

Storyline

The UN Secretary-General spokesperson told reporters today (05 Jan), the UN Peacekeeping Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) was investigating fresh allegations concerning sexual exploitation and abuse by its troops in the capital Bangui.

Stephane Dujarric said the head of the mission, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga and the force commander, had met today with members of MINUSCA military and the police in Bangui.

Dujarric noted “the Special Representative reiterated the mission’s unwavering commitment to the Secretary-General’s zero tolerance policy, and reminded them that there will be no complacency for perpetrators or accomplishes of such crimes which traumatise the lives of vulnerable people, and which also tarnish the peacekeepers’ identity, the honour of their country and the UN flag.”

He also said the special representative had “announced ongoing discussions with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to carry out joint actions as part of the reinforcement of the UN Mission’s ability to combat sexual exploitation and abuse”.

Dujarric said other upcoming measures included “the establishment of a police-force joint brigade to identify sexual (exploitation) and abuse perpetrators and deter the occurrence of new cases. He underlined the need to conduct patrols in camps for internally displaced people in close collaboration with Central African Republic’s internal security forces. He also renewed his commitment to protect whistle-blowers.”

In the spring of 2014, allegations came to light that international troops serving as peacekeepers in CAR had sexually abused a number of young children in exchange for food or money. The alleged perpetrators were largely from a French military force known as Sangaris, which was operating under authorization of the Security Council but not under UN command.

A report conducted by an independent panel found that three UN officials abused their authority: the then head of the human rights component of the UN mission in CAR (MINUSCA); the then Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of MINUSCA; and the then Under-Secretary-General for the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS).