Fréchette heading to Kosovo to continue emphasis against sex abuse by UN peacekeepers
Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette will head to Kosovo later this week to continue her tour of United Nations
peacekeeping operations around the world to emphasize the world body's zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation
and abuse.
Ms. Fréchette travelled today to Germany after ending a four-day visit to Côte d'Ivoire, the last of three West African
countries where the United Nations has peacekeeping missions. Her trip comes in the wake of allegations of widespread
exploitation and abuse by UN peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Some accusations include
trading two eggs or making small payments for sex.
Yesterday she met with Ivorian Prime Minister Seydou Diarra to inform him about her mission on the zero-tolerance
policy, and also to review with him the current political situation in the country.
They discussed South Africa's mediation to bring peace to Côte d'Ivoire, during which the Deputy Secretary-General
reiterated UN support for South African President Thabo Mbeki's efforts. She also said that the United Nations was ready
to assist the Ivorian authorities in organizing transparent, free and democratic elections.
Ms. Fréchette had met with President Laurent Gbagbo on Friday and reviewed the current situation in the country as well
as the UN contribution to the peace process.
On Saturday, following a meeting with the senior management of the UN Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI), the Deputy
Secretary-General held a press conference to explain her efforts to sensitize UN staff about sexual exploitation and
abuse and the policy the UN has adopted to deal with that problem.