UN peacekeepers rape, pillage in numbers that demand global attention

2In light of the most-recent report of sexual abuse by United Nations peacekeepers in the Central African Republic, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s words ring hollow.

What makes the criminal behavior in the African country all the more egregious is the fact that a 12-year-old girl was assaulted by a U.N. peacekeeper.

According to Amnesty International, there is credible evidence that the attack occurred during a 2 a.m. search of the girl’s family home. The girl said the U.N. soldier dragged her out to a secluded part of the courtyard, slapped her when she began to cry, tore her clothing and raped her. Her claims are supported by medical evidence, Amnesty International reported.

What is also disturbing about the statement from the U.N. secretary-general is that his predecessors had expressed similar sentiments.

The truth is that U.N. peacekeepers, who have been deployed to areas of the world that have been devastated by war and whose populations have been experienced unbelievable suffering, have too often turned out to be predators.

And every time there’s a credible report of rape and other criminal behavior by those whose job it is to bring solace, comfort and safety to the afflicted, U.N. higher-ups react with the appropriate amount of anger and disdain.

But after more than two decades of credible complaints about the behavior of the international organization’s forces, it’s clear that words mean nothing.

Last week, Secretary-General Moon presented his agenda for strengthening U.N. peacekeeping, including setting out three “fundamental” changes urgently required to adopt operations to new realities, as well as measures to root out sexual exploitation and abuse, according to The Guardian newspaper.

“The fundamentals of U.N. peace operations will not change,” he said. “Our job is to support the negotiated settlement of conflicts and to protect civilians and advance their right to security, justice and development. It is essential that we are accountable and responsive to the needs of the people we serve.”

Secretary-general’s agenda

The Guardian reported that the secretary-general’s agenda is contained in a report he released last week titled, “The Future of UN Peace Operations.” It envisions adopting the recommendations of the High-Level Independent Panel, established last October. The panel is examining how the full range of U.N. peace operations can be harnessed to address the spread and intensity of conflict today, the newspaper reported.

But there’s an underlying problem with the entire peacekeeping effort when it comes to misbehavior by those who have been deployed. There are no formal criminal procedures to hold the accused accountable.

Individuals who happen to be caught – more often than not crimes such as rape or theft are shrugged off – are simply sent back to their home countries. There, they are allowed to walk free.

If Secretary-General Moon and other leaders of the U.N. are sincere about making law and order a defining principle of the peacekeeping operations, they will develop a formal system of justice that would be used to file criminal charges against the offending peacekeepers.

The International Court of Justice, or the World Court, is the primary judicial branch of the United Nations. It would be the natural setting for cases filed against individuals in the field operating under the auspices of the U.N.

The inhumanity of individuals with power preying on innocent people who are suffering because of wars and natural disasters cannot go unpunished.

Words are cheap. It’s time for action.

The peacekeeper accused of raping the 12-year-old girl must face criminal charges. Otherwise, the message that has long been delivered to those assigned to protect and help the innocent will be reinforced: Rape and pillage at will; you won’t be punished.