In Burundi, Fréchette Reviews Steps Taken by UN Mission to Prevent Abuse
New York, Jun 8 2005 5:00PM
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette arrived today in Burundi, where she is expected to establish
contacts with the Government and meet with UN peacekeepers as part of her ongoing tour to raise awareness about the
Organization's zero tolerance policy on sexual exploitation.
Speaking to the press at the airport of the capitol, Bujumbura, Ms. Fréchette said she would be reviewing the situation
of the UN Operation in Burundi (ONUB) with its chief, Carolyn McAskie.
"I am aware that the UN mission in Burundi has taken several measures to ensure that the conduct of our staff conforms
to the requirements of the Code of Conduct, Ms. Fréchette said. "I will have the opportunity to assess the situation
with Ms. McAskie and her colleagues.
The Deputy Secretary-General's tour follows the release of a report prepared by the Secretary-General's advisor on the
subject, Prince Zeid Ra'ad Zeid Al-Hussein, Ambassador of Jordan, in the wake of allegations of sexual abuse by
peacekeepers, particularly personnel stationed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The report, which was endorsed by UN General Assembly's Special Committee on Peacekeeping, calls for the establishment
of Personnel Conduct Units in the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) at UN Headquarters and in seven
existing missions.
In addition, implementation of the report would require peacekeeping operations to broadly promote good conduct and
discipline, and increase the accountability of managers and officers in this area, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in
his letter transmitting the report.
Ms. Fréchette said she looks forward to meeting with the entire staff on the issue. "But I can already conclude that the
staff of this mission takes this message of the Secretary-General very seriously," she said.
ENDS