The United States is facing opposition to what would be the first-ever UN Security Council resolution to confront the escalating problem of sexual abuse and exploitation by UN peacekeepers, a measure US Ambassador Samantha Power says is critical to help end sex crimes, especially against children.
Egypt's UN Ambassador Amr Abdellatif Aboulatta says the issue should be addressed by the 193-member General Assembly instead and shouldn't be used "as a tool to attack troop-contributing countries" or undermine their reputation and sacrifices.
While the council's actions are legally binding, the General Assembly's are not.
The comments came as Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon briefed the council today on his latest report on the issue, which for the first time named the countries of alleged perpetrators.
Twenty-six allegations have been recorded this year alone.
However, the UN Military Observer Group in India and
Pakistan (UNMOGIP) is among the six peacekeeping missions that had no allegation of sexual exploitation and abuse to report in 2016.
Underscoring that the UN should not be, in any way, associated with the vile and vicious crimes of rape, sexual violence, exploitation and abuse, Guterres outlined a new victim-centred approach to prevent and respond to such abuses committed by those serving under the UN flag.
The Secretary-General's report outlines a victim-centred strategy that is rooted in transparency, accountability and ensuring justice.
Noting that exploitation is also deeply rooted in gender inequality and discrimination, Guterres said that promoting gender equality throughout the UN system, including its missions and peacekeeping forces, would help advance parity and at the same time decrease incidents of abuse.
"Let us do so in the name of all who look to the UN for life-saving protection and support - and on behalf of the tens of thousands of UN personnel around the world who deliver that assistance with courage and commitment to the highest ideals," he stressed.
The report also emphasises the need to engage with UN member states and calls for a high-level meeting on sexual exploitation and abuses in 2017 on the margins of the general debate of the 72nd session of the General Assembly.
