Shaming the State: Sexual Offences by UN Military Peacekeepers and the Rhetoric of Zero Tolerance

Abstract

As of 31 August 2013 there were 15 United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operations deployed across the world, consisting of 115,582 personnel.1 UN peacekeepers have done much to contribute to peace and security in many conflict-affected states. These peacekeeping operations are increasingly multidimensional, requiring UN military contingents to engage in activities that necessitate interaction with and close proximity to civilian populations of UN mission host states, including women and children.2 Since the 1990s, the contributions made by UN peacekeepers have been marred by numerous allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) by UN peacekeepers, including allegations of serious crimes, such as rape, forced prostitution, ‘rape disguised as prostitution’,3 sexual abuse of children, trafficking and other forms of sexual violence.4 SEA by UN peacekeepers is not only morally reprehensible, it violates the relationship of trust between peacekeepers and the civilian populations they have been sent to protect. Moreover, the continued incidence of SEA by UN peacekeepers,5 and impunity for such, discredits UN operations and undermines the values the organisation seeks to promote.