Vakaga

France Smeared by African Child Rape Scandal

• Report rights infringement
• published: 31 Mar 2016
• views: 53

UN SC SECRETARY-GENERAL SHOCKED TO THE CORE BY LATEST ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ABUSE IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC The Spokesman of the UN SG said today that the Secretary-General has expressed shock to the core by the latest allegations of abuse in the Central African Republic (CAR). His focus is on the victims and their families - women and young children who have been traumatized in the worst imaginable way. Yesterday, CAR inaugurated a new democratically elected President, marking the end of a transition period. The interventions of the international community helped save the CAR from an unspeakable fate. Yet, we must face the fact that a number of troops who were sent to protect people instead acted with hearts of darkness. These crimes fester in silence and that is why the Secretary-General is shining a spotlight on these despicable, depraved and deeply disturbing allegations. He has been unrelenting in confronting this scourge and raising it proactively at every opportunity. This constant and loud advocacy must be matched by the actions of Member States who alone have the power to discipline their forces with real consequences. This is essential to restoring trust in the invaluable institution of peacekeeping and - even more importantly - to provide a full measure of justice and healing to the affected communities. A Note to Correspondents issued on 30 March said that the United Nations Mission in CAR (MINUSCA) announced on 25 March 2016 that it had received new allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse that had taken place between 2013 and 2015 by UN and non-UN personnel, as well as by local armed groups, in the Kemo prefecture of the country. The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, today described the latest allegations as “sickening,” and said that major efforts were already underway to investigate allegations. He also said that it was vital that the victims are protected and receive all necessary care. A MINUSCA-led integrated team comprised of Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), Human Rights, Child and Women’s Protection, Conduct and Discipline, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has travelled to the area and is now on the ground. The exact number and nature of these extremely troubling allegations are still being determined. The team has identified the contingents in question as those provided by Burundi and Gabon. Allegations made against the French Sangaris forces in the same area are also being investigated. Alleged victims are being interviewed and will be provided with assistance and psycho-social and medical support. The Burundian and Gabonese units allegedly involved will remain confined in camps during the investigation, except for essential tasks. The UN has formally notified the Troop Contributing Countries in question, as well as to the French authorities, informing them of these allegations. The Troop Contributing Countries have been requested to send investigators immediately to participate jointly in the ongoing investigation. The Under Secretary-General for Field Support, Atul Khare, met with the Permanent Representative of Burundi on 30 March. A meeting with representatives of Gabon will take place as soon as possible. The Central African Republic authorities have also been formally notified by the Mission in Bangui. The High Commissioner for Human Rights said that the States to whom these troops belong must do more to stop the abuse happening, to punish those committing these acts with appropriate sentences, and to prevent further violations. The Under Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Herve Ladsous, is in Bangui where he raised these allegations with French foreign ministry also there. The Security Council was also briefed on this issue by Mr. Khare today. MINUSCA has reported that the legislative run-off elections are taking place in 85 constituencies today amidst an overall calm atmosphere in the country. The Mission continues to provide logistical and security support to the electoral process. It is, however, monitoring developments in Obo (Haute-Mbomou), Birao (Vakaga) and Bouar (Nana-Mambéré), where minor incidents involving supporters of political opponents have recently been reported.