UN: Peacekeeping Forces

Questions

Asked by

Lord Hylton
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will propose the establishment of a comprehensive study of all United Nations peacekeeping forces to consider (a) the forces' short, medium and long-term needs and effectiveness; (b) their replacement, where possible, by observers and inspectors; and (c) their current adverse effects. [HL187]

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown)
We are committed to the implementation of the key principles set out in the report of the high-level panel on United Nations peacekeeping operations (2001).

The UK plays a leading role in the UN Security Council in making sure that peacekeeping operations are properly managed. We are strong supporters of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations, and will continue to work to ensure that the UN has the resources it needs to do a difficult job on behalf of the international community.

International resources—human, material and financial—for peacekeeping are limited. That means we will only deliver the highest quality peacekeeping in the areas where the need is greatest if we rigorously prioritise elsewhere. We are committed to working with the UN, other Security Council members and current and potential troop-contributing countries to ensure this is done.

Asked by

Lord Hylton
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many United Kingdom members of United Nations peacekeeping forces have been (a) charged with and (b) convicted of sexual offences while on missions during the past 10 years. [HL188]

Lord Malloch-Brown
There is one reported incident of a UK member of a UN peacekeeping force having been charged with a sexual offence during the past 10 years.

Following an investigation the accused was returned to the UK to be tried by court martial for offences contrary to Section 1(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The individual was found not guilty.