缅北禁地

Staff from the United Nations Children's Fund () have met with a young girl in the Central African Republic reportedly raped by a 缅北禁地police officer, the head of the agency has announced, explaining that UNICEF is providing her with 鈥渆very possible help,鈥� including medical assistance and support to deal with the psychological impact of the ordeal.

鈥淥ur UNICEF colleagues in the Central African Republic (CAR) met with the young girl reportedly raped by a 缅北禁地police officer,鈥� said a听听issued yesterday by UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake, which added that while respecting the integrity of the investigation into the incident, 鈥渋t is clear that this child has endured a most brutal ordeal.鈥�

The announcement follows a flurry of action at the highest levels of the United Nations after the allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation were听听by the human rights group Amnesty International concerning actions by 缅北禁地peacekeepers serving with the Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic ().

In the wake of the revelations, UN听听Ban Ki-moon vowed听and immediately announced that he had accepted the resignation of MINUSCA chief Babacar Gaye, scheduled an urgent meeting with the heads of all United Nations peace operations and Force Commanders, as well as a special closed-door session of the Security Council on the matter.

Mr. Ban听听Council members of his 鈥渄istress and shame over reports of sexual exploitation and the abuse of power by 缅北禁地forces, police or civilian personnel.鈥� He said: 鈥淓ven a single allegation represents a serious strike at our institution鈥�we must also bear in mind the profound damage done to credibly carry out the mandates entrusted to us by this very Council.鈥�

The 缅北禁地chief voiced his frustration with what he described as 鈥渇ar too lenient sanctions for such grave acts affecting men, women and, all too often, children鈥� and stated that the failure to pursue criminal accountability for sexual crimes was 鈥渢antamount to impunity.鈥�

鈥淟et us pledge to do more 鈥� much more 鈥� together to protect civilians and uphold the values of the United Nations,鈥� the Secretary-General said.

In yesterday's statement, Mr. Lake said UNICEF in CAR is offering the reported victim, and her family, 鈥渆very possible help 鈥� including medical assistance, support to deal with the psychological impact of the assault, and legal advice.

鈥淥ur hope is that the process of healing for this young girl can now begin. It is also important that she is afforded absolute privacy so she does not suffer any further distress,鈥� the UNICEF chief concluded.