asked Her Majesty’s Government:
What is their response to the recent Save the Children report No One to Turn To about the involvement of international aid workers in sexual violence against refugees. [HL4439]
The UK takes all allegations of misconduct by UN and other peacekeepers extremely seriously and we welcome Save the Children’s report highlighting this grave issue. We support any efforts to protect refugees, particularly the most vulnerable—women and children—from instances of abuse.
It remains the case that the vast majority of UN staff live up to the highest standards of behaviour, while carrying out important work in difficult circumstances. But, where they do not live up to their mandate, we support the implementation of the UN’s “zero tolerance” policy concerning instances of abuse.
The Secretary of State for International Development raised this issue with the UN Secretary-General on 16 June. We are expecting a Security Council discussion on UN Resolution 1325 (Women, peace and security) in October. We will also be pushing for a Security Council presidential statement reinforcing the UN’s commitment to zero tolerance concerning abuse by peacekeeepers.