UN suspends/fires 12 in DRC
2005-03-18 10:41
United Nations - The United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Monuc) has suspended or dismissed 12 of its civilian employees as it holds an inquiry into sexual abuse of minors, UN spokesperson Fred Eckhard said on Thursday.
Monuc led the investigation into the actions of 17 people, three of who were exonerated on lack of evidence, while a fourth is still under investigation, said Eckhard.
Of the other 13, "one was summarily dismissed and is currently being prosecuted in France. One resigned rather than face disciplinary procedures."
"Six have been suspended without pay pending disciplinary action," Eckhard said.
From the latter group, five were volunteers, and their cases have been transferred to the UN Development Programme.
In February, the United Nations announced that its troops in Democratic Republic of Congo had been ordered not to have sexual relations with Congolese, following revelations a month prior on sexual abuse of 13-year-olds, with both soldiers and UN civilian employees implicated.