Troops of the South African and Malawi contingents trained on women’s rights and the promotion of human rights in Beni, North Kivu. Photo MONUSCO/Force
It is evening in Beni on a Thursday night. While many residents are winding down their day in the city in North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), for one visiting team their workday is about to begin.
The sound of a popular rhumba band blares out of a popular bar. The conduct and discipline team from the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) enters the night spot.
“Recently, our team has visited five bars and recreation areas in Beni,” said Maria Rocheteau, Acting Head of MONUSCO’s Conduct and Discipline Team. “These entertainment businesses, which are known for their flourishing trade in transactional sex are off-limits to all MONUSCO personnel and the team has been conducting routine check to see if they encounter any military or civilian staff."
These multidisciplinary risk assessment teams were sent in November to the three provinces where United Nations (UN) peacekeepers are deployed to identify and understand the risks of sexual exploitation and abuse by UN personnel. This follows the suspension and detention in October of eight members of MONUSCO’s military force for their ‘systematic widespread violation’ of organizational rules. The soldiers were caught fraternizing in places known for promoting transactional sex, which is prohibited by the UN Secretary-General's Zero Tolerance Policy on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.
Since October the conduct and discipline teams have assessed risk factors in more than twenty-eight rural and urban areas, visiting places where misconduct is likely to occur such as brothels, bars, markets, which are often set up near MONUSCO bases. Armed with their findings, MONUSCO will be able to enhance preventive and response measures.
In addition, to deter UN personnel from visiting prohibited areas, UN Military Police and UNPOL Formed Police Units are conducting joint patrols and intensifying checkpoints to screen employees, for alcohol and other substance abuse as well as unauthorized passengers in UN vehicles.
MONUSCO strongly condemns any sexual exploitation and abuse as it has a devastating impact on victims. The rights and dignity of victims are central to the UN’s efforts to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct and the MONUSCO has stepped up preventive, enforcement, and remedial measures.
“I stand with the victims of sexual exploitations and abuse and their needs is the utmost priority for the UN,” said Bintou Keita, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the DRC. “I am committed to persevere in our efforts to address these wrongs. The UN has put in place mechanisms to refer the identified victims to medical, psychosocial and protection services. The office of the Senior Victims’ Rights Officer facilitates the provision of assistance to victims and works to ensure that their rights and dignity are always upheld.”
The Mission works closely with communities to empower them to identify and prevent sexual exploitation and abuse, support victims and witnesses to report incidents and seek assistance. The Mission has set up Community-based Complaint Networks in 43 localities throughout the country. Over the years, 866 women and men have been trained to work with the Mission to raise awareness within the communities, schools or marketplaces, on the standards of conduct expected of UN personnel, and how to report allegations. These efforts are key to preventing and ending sexual misconduct, as well as ensuring the respect of victims’ dignity.
The community-based networks are a critical link between the Mission, victims, and vulnerable communities. Their deep understanding of the local context and the trust they have won helps foster greater confidence in the UN, enhancing reporting and assistance to victims in need.
The UN Code of Conduct prohibits sexual relations between Mission personnel and beneficiaries of UN assistance. In addition, the Mission’s Non-Fraternization Policy limits the interaction between uniformed peacekeepers and the local population, beyond what is needed to undertake their official duties.
To ensure that personnel abide by relevant policies, MONUSCO managers, sector commanders, chiefs of military offices and team commanders are required to regularly remind their respective personnel of their obligations under the UN oath they have signed upon joining the organization and other regulations, rules, directives, including the Code of Personal Conduct for Blue Helmets. Surprise roll calls are also conducted by military contingent commanders to ensure compliance with the policies limiting activities outside of bases.
In addition, focal points appointed within MONUSCO Force Headquarters provide support and guidance, meeting monthly with battalion and contingent commanders to share good practices on prevention. The Mission is also enhancing and intensifying the frequency of trainings aimed at raising awareness on the consequences of sexual abuse and exploitation through induction trainings for new personnel and refresher sessions for those already in-mission. Both civilian and uniformed personnel must participate in these training to increase better understanding of prohibited conduct and each person’s duty to report alleged, suspected or actual misconduct.
“With the lessons learned in-mind, MONUSCO is committed to ending all forms of sexual and exploitation by UN personnel, and is endeavoring to rebuild trust with communities, enhance preventive and response measures, as well as ensure a greater sense of accountability amongst its personnel, “said Ms Keita. “MONUSCO is dedicated to discharging its mandate with respect to UN values: humanity, humility, inclusion, and integrity, and serving the Congolese people with pride and honour. “