Probe launched into sexual abuse allegations against UN mission staff in DR of Congo

3 Mar 2009

Probe launched into sexual abuse allegations against UN mission staff in DR of Congo

7 May 2004 - The United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) has launched a comprehensive investigation into reported instances of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of civilians, including minors, by its personnel in Bunia, in the northeastern part of the country.
The Mission is determined to enforce Secretary-General Kofi Annan's policy of zero tolerance of any sexual misconduct, in accordance with his bulletin on special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of last October, a UN spokesman said in New York.
MONUC "is committed to completing a full and thorough investigation as a matter of urgency, and to applying all available sanctions against any of its personnel found responsible," Fred Eckhard said.