UNITED NATIONS DEEPLY CONCERNED BY ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL EXPLOITATION IN SUDAN

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

We are deeply concerned by press reports of allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by United Nations personnel in Juba.  The UN standard on this issue is clear -- zero tolerance, meaning zero complacency and zero impunity.  In cooperation with the UN Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS), we are looking into the substance of the press reports to determine if the allegations are new or are existing cases already under investigation.

It is the UN’s policy to treat credible allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse as serious offences to be investigated by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS).  OIOS has a team permanently based in the Sudan that investigates all allegations of abuse.  Over the past year, as a result of UN investigations, four UNMIS peacekeepers have already been repatriated.

The UN is working closely with local authorities and all operational partners, including our troop-contributing countries, to ensure that UN personnel adhere to the highest standards of accountability.  When necessary, strong disciplinary action will be taken.

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For information media • not an official record