Cablegate: Effectiveness of Un Efforts to Combat Sexual

VZCZCXRO7008
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHAB #0745 1901642
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 091642Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3260
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS ABIDJAN 000745

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR XIMENA GUTIERREZ

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPKO PREL IV
SUBJECT: EFFECTIVENESS OF UN EFFORTS TO COMBAT SEXUAL
EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE IN UN PEACEKEEPING MISSION (ONUCI)

REF: A. SECSTATE 89356

B. SECSTATE 204157

Sensitive. Not for Internet Posting, Other Non-USG
Distribution

1. (SBU) Emboff met with UN Operations in Cote d'Ivoire
(ONUCI) Human Rights Affairs and Code of Conduct Affairs
Offices to discuss implementation of policies to combat
sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and trafficking in
persons (TIP). ONUCI officers indicated that ONUCI has a
rigorous, written policy in place that explicitly bans
engagement with prostitutes, engagement in any type of
coercive sexual experience involving any sort of power
imbalance, and all forms of human trafficking.

2. (SBU) ONUCI officers said that UN policy in this area is
rigorously enforced, and there is a specialized, two-person
unit charged with investigating cases of alleged infractions
of the SEA/TIP code. When concluded, cases are referred to
the UN's office of SEA in NY for further review. While cases
themselves remain confidential, officers revealed that
several investigations have concluded with ONUCI personnel
being stripped of their immunity in Cote d'Ivoire, sent home
and subject to prosecution according to the contributing
state's applicable legal provisions. Few such cases have
occurred, though ONUCI personnel from Morocco and Pakistan
were mentioned.
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