Photo credit:\u00a0UNANYC<\/p>\n
Originally published on 1 May 2018,\u00a0Fox News<\/a>.<\/p>\n by Frank Miles<\/a><\/p>\n The United Nations has long been in the spotlight over allegations of child rape and other sexual abuses by its peacekeepers, especially those based in Central African Republic and Congo. But the latest figures again suggest that sexual misconduct spans the entire U.N. system.<\/p>\n The U.N. said Tuesday it received 54 allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation against U.N. peacekeepers and civilian staff and groups implementing U.N. programs in the first three months of 2018 \u2014 including one involving an 11-year-old girl.<\/p>\n U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said 14 allegations involved U.N. peacekeeping operations, 18 involved U.N. agencies, funds and programs, and 21 were related to U.N. partner organizations. One allegation involved a member of a non-U.N. international force operating under a U.N. Security Council mandate, he said.<\/p>\n Haq also the allegations involve 66 accusers, including 13 girls under age 18.<\/p>\n He said two women and one girl were pregnant, and paternity was established in one case.<\/p>\n The ages of 16 accusers were unknown, he added.<\/p>\n Haq said not all allegations from 2018 have been verified and many were being assessed.<\/p>\n He said two have been substantiated by an investigation; two were not substantiated; 21 are at various stages of investigation; 27 are under preliminary assessment; and one investigation\u2019s result is under review.<\/p>\n Haq stressed, \u201cWith over 95,000 civilians and 90,000 uniformed personnel working for the U.N., sexual exploitation and abuse are not reflective of the conduct of the majority of the dedicated women and men who serve the organization.\u201d<\/p>\n He continued, \u201cBut every allegation involving our personnel undermines our values and principles and the sacrifice of those who serve with pride and professionalism in some of the most dangerous places in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n However, U.N. watchdogs remain skeptical about the organization\u2019s answerability.<\/p>\n \u201cThe U.N.’s repeated claim of zero tolerance is a joke. In case after case, no one is held accountable. Peacekeepers from Ghana were accused of sexual exploitation in Wau in South Sudan but so far there is not accountability,\u201d Matthew Russell Lee, founder of\u00a0Inner City Press<\/a>, which focuses on internal issues of the U.N., told Fox News. \u201cPeacekeepers from Nepal were initially accused in South Sudan of child rape. Then the U.N. downgraded it to attempted sexual assault and has refused (our) questions about why it was downgraded, what definition they use.\u201d<\/p>\n