UNMIL Boss Puts Up Defense, Says UN Has Taken Actions On Sexual Abuse

by Jamesetta B. Horace

May 11, 2006 - (The Analyst) In the wake of recent reports said to be coming from the offices of a partner of the United Nations, Save the Children - UK concerning sexual exploitation and abuse of women and children in Liberia, the head of the UN Mission in Liberia, Alan Doss has expressed the UN's deepest concern about allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday at UNMIL Headquarters in Monrovia, Mr. Doss said the mission has taken a number of measures including the formation of a conduct and discipline unit that has full mandate in terms of protection and in dealing with allegations and cases. He said that this was followed by a team from the oversight office which operates independently with its report submitted to the UN head office in New York.

Alan Doss argued that it will be unfair to say that no measures have been taken against members of the mission whereas they have invented measures of training, sensitization, awareness and sanctions; noting, "We investigated cases and when they are necessary disciplinary actions are being taken including dismissal of staffs from the service." The UNMIL Boss pointed out that the issue of the report goes far beyond United Nations and humanitarian aid workers.

He said that there is a broad concern about exploitation and abuse in Liberia for reasons stipulated in the report.

According to him, therefore, there needs to be collective efforts from both government and UNMIL to formulate strategies through which they can move more vigorously in dealing with such things.
He promised to continue discussions with President Sirleaf upon her arrival in the country on the abuse of women and children in order to put in place proper mechanisms to combat the act of sexual exploitation in the country.

"As I said, this goes beyond the UN, the NGO community or the international humanitarian community, it requires systematic and sustained efforts to deal with. "And at the same time we should not be blinded by the media headlines because this is a problem and will be a problem for some time," he explained. He urged his colleagues to look beyond the headlines and ensure that the procedures and policies that are needed are put in place to enable UNMIL move forward. Mr. Doss is however calling on the Save the Children - UK to provide specifics that would enable the UNMIL to conduct investigation into the allegations especially those involving staffs of the mission.

From: http://allafrica.com/stories/200605110595.html