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UN child sexual abuse scandal in Haiti

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The United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti ("MINUSTAH") was tainted by multiple scandals involving U.N. personnel engaged in sexual exploitation or abuse of Haitians, including Haitian children.[1][2][3] Most prominent of these was a child sexual abuse scandal involving the Sri Lankan UN peacekeepers, which emerged in 2007 following an investigation by the UN's Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS). At least 134 Sri Lankan soldiers serving with the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti were accused of sexually abusing nine Haitian children from 2004 to 2007.[4][5]

In 2016, the Sri Lankan government decided to make a one-time ex-gratia payment to a victim and child born as a result of sexual exploitation and abuse, which was praised by the UN.[6] However, none of the accused were convicted of crimes by the Sri Lankan government.[2]

Background

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In November 2007, 114 members of the 950 member Sri Lankan Army peacekeeping mission in Haiti were accused of sexual misconduct and abuse.[4] 108 members of the contingent, including 3 officers, were sent back after being implicated in alleged misconduct and sexual abuse.[7] The culture of impunity for the sexual violence against Sri Lankan Tamils during Sri Lankan civil war contributed to the abuses.[2]

Officials in Haiti have said that UN peacekeeping soldiers from Sri Lanka who had been accused of sex crimes in 2007 had even raped children as young as 7 years old.[8][9][10][11] The UN released a report slapping the Sri Lankan contingent with accusations of building a brothel in Martissant, Port-au-Prince charging them with systematic sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of minors, prostitution and rape.[11] "In exchange for sex, the children received small amounts of money, food, and sometimes mobile phones," reported the OIOS, the UN's investigative arm.[12]

One girl was only 12 years old when she was first raped by Sri Lankan soldiers. One boy was raped by more than 20 soldiers in UN military trucks where he was sodomised or made to perform oral sex. Another boy was raped by over 100 soldiers, 4 per day, starting at the age of 15. Due to the prolonged contact with the Sri Lankan soldiers, the Haitian children had knowledge of various sexual expressions in Sinhala language.[13]

Investigations and reactions

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After inquiry into the case the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) has concluded, "acts of sexual exploitation and abuse (against children) were frequent and occurred usually at night, and at virtually every location where the contingent personnel were deployed." The OIOS said charges should include statutory rape "because it involves children under 18 years of age".[12]

UN spokeswoman Michele Montas said: "The United Nations and the Sri Lankan government deeply regret any sexual exploitation and abuse that has occurred."[8] The Sri Lankan Officials claim that there is little tangible evidence on this case.[4]

Noted Haitian female activist Ezhili Danto alleges:

If only a dozen UN peacekeepers were punished for sexual abuse and rape, then that means, for instance, most of the 114 Sri Lankan soldiers deported back to Sri Lanka from Haiti in 2007 for sexual abuse and rape in Haiti did not get punished.

In March 2013, a fresh batch of 400 soldiers from the Sri Lankan Army's Sinha Regiment left for Haiti as part of the UN Peacekeeping mission.[14]

According to Sri Lanka's Permanent Ambassador to Haiti, several Sri Lankan military officers were "disciplined" for violations of military rules and some officers were "asked" to resign. Since Sri Lankan authorities judged the sexual activity in the cases to have been "consensual" and thus not criminal under Sri Lankan law, none of the accused were imprisoned.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Sanon, Evens: "UN votes to end to Haiti peacekeeping mission in mid-October," April 13, 2017, Associated Press, retrieved September 26, 2024
  2. ^ a b c "UN Peacekeepers: How a Haiti child sex ring was whitewashed". AP News. 2017-05-27. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  3. ^ a b Klarreich, Kathie (12 January 2015). "UN in Haiti: When Protectors Turn Predators". kogainon.com. Archived from the original on 10 September 2015.
  4. ^ a b c "Haiti: Over 100 Sri Lankan blue helmets repatriated on disciplinary grounds – UN". 2 November 2007. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  5. ^ "AP Investigation: UN troops lured kids into Haiti sex ring". AP News. 2017-04-12. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  6. ^ "Sri Lanka: UN official commends Sri Lanka\'s decision to pay victim sexually exploited by peacekeeper". Colombo Page. Archived from the original on 2019-11-04. Retrieved 2016-05-22.
  7. ^ "Title unknown". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 4 November 2007. Archived from the original on 6 November 2007. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  8. ^ a b "Sri Lanka to probe UN sex claims". BBC News. 3 November 2007. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  9. ^ "Haiti Says Lankan Troops Raped Even Minors". Archived from the original on 15 September 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  10. ^ "Letter to the UN asking for investigative reports on UN rape". Archived from the original on 1 June 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  11. ^ a b "Obama's empty promises". Archived from the original on 15 May 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  12. ^ a b "UN confirms sex charges". Sundaytimes. 2008-03-30. Retrieved 2008-03-30.
  13. ^ "UN peacekeepers forced children into sex ring in Haiti". The Independent. 2017-04-15. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  14. ^ "400 'Sinha regiment' Sri Lanka soldiers leave for Haiti | Tamil Guardian".
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