UN looks into sex abuse claims

2004-05-27 07:21

New York - The United Nations is investigating allegations of 30 cases of sexual abuse of minors by peacekeepers in Congo, the world body said on Wednesday.

The UN mission has broadened its investigation since first reporting the allegations in the city of Bunia on May 7, UN spokesperson Fred Eckhard said.

The Office of Internal Oversight Services, the UN's watchdog agency, has sent investigators to Bunia, he said.

One case of alleged abuse has been completed, and a peacekeeper who was found guilty is being disciplined, Eckhard said, but he declined to give the name or nationality.

"The general thing being investigated is sexual abuse of minors," UN spokesperson Fred Eckhard said.

The United Nations has 10 800 troops and 60 civilians in Congo, with about half of them in Bunia, capital of the volatile Ituri region.

"The United Nations intends to vigorously follow up with concerned troop-contributing countries to ensure that proper action is taken," Eckhard said.

Two years ago, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees investigated charges of abuse of women and children in camps in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. The allegations were levelled by the UNHCR and Save the Children UK.

- AP