The United Nations apparently has a lengthy history of allegations regarding child rape within its very own ranks. And the organization has been criticized for not acting quickly enough in trying to bring an end to the abuse.
It's alleged that both the facilitation and the funding of these child rapes is ultimately being funded by taxpayers. And this is an issue that even members from the UN have tried to bring attention to previously.
Just this month, the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres alleged that there had been at least 145 cases of sexual exploitation and abuse. These allegations of abuse involve troops and civilians from numerous UN “peace missions” in just 2016.
Just from 2016, it's alleged that there are at least 311 victims.
To be clear, it is UN 'peacekeepers' and other UN staff which are being accused of raping hundreds of children. And this is an allegation which has been asserted by members within the UN, like Guterres, themselves.
Guterres said that he hopes the issue can 'be improved' (not eradicated?) and he proposed a four-part strategy for trying to go about doing that. This strategy includes setting the rights and dignity of victims as a top priority for all U.N efforts, but shouldn't this have been the case already? Seeing as they have a declaration of human rights which they supposedly recognize for every human being on earth? Therefore, re-setting some promise of basic decency as a supposed standard doesn't seem like it will do much to crackdown on the problem.
Guterres also mentioned a possible end of impunity for those who are found guilty of sexual abuse and exploitation, along with a pressing need to raise awareness about the problem so that they can address it honestly.
The accusations regarding these brutal and inexcusable crimes by UN officials needs to be addressed promptly and not simply swept under the rug. These are individuals who shouldn't be in any sort of position of authority but rather should receive the medical attention that they need, or they should be behind bars so that they cannot harm anyone else.
It doesn't bode well for an organization which is supposedly about promoting peace, to be protecting pedophiles and rapists within its own ranks.
Pics:
Pixabay