U.N. probes alleged sex abuse in Congo

By NICK WADHAMS
The Associated Press

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UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations is investigating 150 allegations of sexual abuse by peacekeepers in Congo, a disturbing sign that efforts to rid the so-called "blue helmets" of such misconduct in recent years haven't worked, officials said yesterday.

The allegations include pedophilia, rape and solicitation of prostitutes, said Jane Holl Lute, assistant secretary-general for peacekeeping operations. Similar claims have been made against peacekeepers working under the U.N. mandate in the past.

"It's important that those missions be above reproach and adhere to a standard of condition which not only we have a right to expect, but the people in these circumstances themselves have a right to expect," Lute said.

The allegations in Congo started coming to light in the spring, and formal investigations have begun in several cases, she said. There are allegedly photographs and video backing some claims.

Many of the cases came out of the eastern city of Bunia, where a large contingent of peacekeepers is based.

The U.N. mission in Congo has about 10,500 soldiers and police as well as 1,000 international staff members from 50 countries. It began in 1999.

Investigators are checking the 15 other U.N. peacekeeping missions worldwide to see how widespread the problem is, Lute said.

Allegations of sexual abuse and other crimes have dogged the missions almost since their inception in 1948. It's been difficult to clamp down because the United Nations doesn't want to offend the relatively small number of nations who provide most of the peacekeepers.

There is little the United Nations can do anyway, since it relies on those same governments to prosecute suspected offenders, who often return home to face light punishment — if any at all.
 
In recent years, the United Nations has tried to clear up sexual-abuse problems by putting more emphasis on training peacekeepers — known as "blue helmets" for their distinctive headgear — and re-emphasizing codes of conduct.

Lute said those efforts have not kept pace with the massive growth and complexity in peacekeeping missions, where soldiers often are deployed in highly volatile, lawless areas rather than manning clearly defined truce lines.

Officials have refused to give details about specific cases in Congo, but at least three civilians with the U.N. mission there have been suspended.

Several investigative teams have been deployed to Congo, including one that arrived yesterday to pursue allegations against accused civilians. Another is on its way to study long-term proposals.

The United Nations is also making the complaint process easier in countries where peacekeepers are posted.