UN tackles sex abuse by troops

The problem is, indeed, pervasive. Over the years, accusations have arisen in Cambodia, Mozambique, Somalia, Bosnia, Sierra Leone, East Timor, and Kosovo. Alleged offenses include sex-trafficking, prostitution rings, rapes, pedophilia, even abandoning "peacekeeper babies."

But the final straw was Congo, where, among other abuses, Moroccan and Uruguayan peacekeepers were accused of luring teenage girls into sex in exchange for bananas, cakes, and other food.

Meanwhile, the UN confirmed last month it was investigating credible charges of violations within its Liberian mission, and pursuing other investigations in Haiti and Ivory Coast.

While an overwhelming majority of peacekeepers conduct their duties without incident, the UN says, wherever the UN has planted its flag in recent years, violations of women seem to follow. One reason, say observers, is that UN troops are typically sent to conflict zones thousands of miles from home. They're generally well-paid, but surrounded by poverty. In a stressful environment, the outlet for some is alcohol, drugs, and sex.

Lawlessness in the countries where peacekeepers are operating may convince them "they, too, can get away with things they can't get away with back in their country," says former UN official Edward Luck, of Columbia University.

Another factor may be the fact their home countries neither prosecute gender-based violence nor respect the rights of women.

The UN cannot conduct background checks on military personnel a country sends. Nor does it track if they've previously been accused of crimes. In January, for example, the African nation of Chad was pressured to recall a UN policeman from the UN mission in Ivory Coast whom watchdogs had accused of being a notorious torturer for a former Chadian regime. UN troops often also enjoy immunity agreements with local authorities.

But with peacekeeping missions proliferating - there are some 67,000 UN peacekeepers currently deployed, up nearly 50 percent from a year ago - embarrassing allegations have mounted, say activists, spurring stronger action.

In October 2003, Annan implemented a "zero-tolerance" policy that banned UN staff from a range of activities, like paying for sex; sex with children younger than 18, regardless of local law; and sex with UN aid recipients.

"Based on inherently unequal power dynamics," Annan wrote, these relations "undermine the credibility and integrity" of UN efforts.

The key to solving the problem may be the UN's grass roots. That's why "whistle-blowers" must be protected, says Lisa Kurbiel, a peacekeeping official and member of the new UN taskforce on sexual exploitation and abuse.

"This doesn't happen in plain view, but at 2 in the morning, or in somebody's apartment," says Ms. Kurbiel. "We need staff to feel confident to report it, that the report will be taken seriously, and responded to with skilled expertise - with no repercussions. Or else there's a risk of abuses going unreported. We have to break that silence."

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