Ellis Togba
9 May 2006
The United Nations in Liberia yesterday said that it is taking the issue of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), especially by its personnel, seriously and has begun implementing a range of measures to address the matter.
Without mentioning what constitutes the range of measures it is currently implementing, in a statement, the UN in Liberia maintained that it recognizes the urgent need to raise awareness about SEA in the country.
As an apparent show of the importance to the issue of SEA to the world body, the UN said it took note of the full content of a release from Save the Children UK.
According to the UN, the organization, issued a Discussion Paper entitled "From Camp to Community: Liberia Study on Exploitation of Children." "On several occasions, the United Nations met with Save the Children UK to discuss the issue of SEA and to offer a collaborative approach to intensify actions against SEA," it noted in the statement, adding that during these occasions, it had sought information on specific cases to prevent and sanction perpetrators of SEA within its fold.
Maintaining that Save the Children UK did not discuss the ultimate findings or recommendations of its report with the United Nations, it however said "the Organization will continue to vigorously pursue its activities to prevent and deal with SEA." "The United Nations in Liberia is committed to prevent, identify and sanction the abhorrent practice of sexual abuse and exploitation in full compliance with the Secretary-General's Bulletin "Special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse" and its policy of zero tolerance," the UN statement quoted officials as saying.
In the statement, the organization also mentioned steps being taken against staffers both in and out of the service in keeping with set standards.
According to the UN, all cases of serious misconduct of United Nations personnel, including all complaints involving sexual exploitation and abuse, are investigated by an independent mechanism - Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS).
"OIOS has complete freedom of action and reports directly to New York," said the body.
With the revelation contained in the statement, observers wondered why New York has not acted upon the report of the Save the Children UK, through appropriate actions as demonstration of the organization's commitment to fighting SEA which is fast becoming a pandemic in recent times.
Besides the apparent failure of New York to execute the necessary reprimand, the organization maintained that it is acting appropriately in Liberia.
"In Liberia, since the beginning of 2006, eight SEA cases involving United Nations personnel have been reported to the OIOS," it said, and added that most investigations are on-going. According to the organization in the statement, a case of sexual exploitation has been substantiated and the concerned staff was immediately suspended.
"Another instance involved allegations against staff of an implementing partner of a United Nations agency. At the conclusion of the case, relations between the agency and the implementing partner were terminated," the release quoted the organization as saying.
In further demonstration of commitment to fighting the spread of SEA, the organization said that it is actively engaged in ensuring "a coherent application of the high standards of conduct required of its personnel." In order to achieve this trend, the United Nations said it established "a fully staffed Conduct and Discipline Unit." According to the UN in Liberia, the Unit will respond effectively to misconducts including sexual exploitation and abuse.
The UN also said it has created "an In-Country Network," chaired by the DSRSG/Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator, with the aim of ensuring coordination and oversight on prevention and response to sexual exploitation and abuse of members of the beneficiary population by international or national staff of the UN or non-governmental organizations.
According to the UN in Liberia, it has developed "a standardized training module on policies, procedures and guidelines for all personnel," and that it has designated "an SEA Focal Point in each United Nations agency to promote actively the implementation of the zero tolerance policy." The UN said it is ready to promote the prevention of SEA, it will invest in improving the welfare of both civilian and military personnel.
"The elimination of SEA requires the full participation of the United Nations and all partners to identify root causes of the problems and to apply appropriate solutions to reduce the economic and social vulnerability of the people of Liberia," the statement observed.
According to the United Nations, it is committed to developing an action plan with the Government of Liberia and national and international partners to eliminate SEA throughout the nation.
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