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DOCUMENTING HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS
COMMITTED BY UN PEACEKEEPERSFormation of a Network:
Accounts of horrific violations by peacekeepers in communities they are charged with protecting have highlighted the need for an information-sharing network to facilitate the documentation and compilation of these human rights violations.
The Center for Strategic Initiatives for Women, the Women's Caucus for Gender Justice and the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom have joined together to initiate the formation of a network to help ensure the most comprehensive collection of information and recommendations possible.
While peacekeeping in and of itself is a worthy and often necessary goal, the impacts on communities are enormous when faced with violence at the hands of those sent in to protect them. At a time when the United Nations is reviewing the effectiveness of its peacekeeping operations, the stories of these violations have been lost in the process.
The network is intended to facilitate the quick flow of information about the commission of violations by Peacekeepers, to bring media and public attention to their occurrence and to seek appropriate responses from the UN as well as troop contributing countries. The network would seek to link those in countries where there is, or has been, a peacekeeping presence with others in troop contributing countries and with non-governmental organizations working around the UN system.
Individuals and organizations working on issues relating to human rights, violence against women, peace and security, or militarism are encouraged to join.
Publication
To assist in this networking and outreach effort, these organizations plan to compile an initial publication on human rights violations committed by UN Peacekeepers, which will include:
- accounts of violations, country by country, including press materials, testimony, anecdotal accounts and the extent of measures taken to redress each situation nationally and by the UN;
- analysis of UN codes of conduct for peacekeepers;
- analysis of training given to peacekeepers;
- analysis of and recommendations for support to victims of violations;
- recommendations to the UN within its mandate;
- recommendations to troop contributing countries;
If you want more information or would like to contribute to the publication please email: peacekeepingwatch@peacewomen.org or contact the organizations listed below. For an update and reports, see: http://www.peacewomen.org/un/pkwatch/pkwatch.html.
Background
When news accounts first began surfacing in 1997 about atrocities committed by UN peacekeepers on mission in Somalia, many believed Somalia was an isolated occurrence amid unique circumstances. Some shrugged their shoulders and said that nothing could be done on the part of the UN when the organization itself had no control or authority over troops of member states. In short, there was no collective responsibility or acknowledgement to the people of Somalia for what took place there at the hands of Canadian, Italian and Belgian peacekeepers under their UN mandate.
In January 2000, more news accounts surfaced - this time about the rape and murder of a 12-year-old Kosovo-Albanian girl by a UN peacekeeper. Subsequent investigations revealed her murder took place in a climate of wanton violence and aggression against the Kosovan people and that peacekeepers had "failed basic standards of conduct of human decency." The Kosovo investigation also yielded information that similar crimes had been committed during an earlier peacekeeping mission in Haiti. Other reports, such as the Graca-Machel study on the impact of armed conflict on children, have documented a corresponding rise in sex trafficking of children and women in places where there is a peacekeeping presence.
While the causes for such violence on the part of peacekeeping troops have not been fully explored, sexual violence against women around any military culture is not new. What has been discussed even less is the effect of utilizing troops from former colonial powers in decolonized territories as well as the prevalence of racist attitudes and beliefs among the troops when deployed to communities about which they have little knowledge or understanding.
In August 2000, the Brahimi Panel, which had been commissioned by Secretary-General Kofi Annan to evaluate the UN's peacekeeping system, issued a comprehensive report. The report contained candid criticisms about the effectiveness of the UN peacekeeping efforts but fell far short of fully addressing the crucial issue of what happens when those charged with bringing stability to a situation become perpetrators of war crimes or crimes against humanity. The Brahimi Report has spurred a massive overhaul of the peacekeeping system within the United Nations. Efforts are underway to streamline the initiation and mobilization of operations. While efforts to make peacekeeping more effective are necessary and commendable, these changes are taking place without anyone having paid appropriate attention to issues surrounding violations.
In October 2000, the Security Council passed resolution 1325, which expressed the Council's willingness to incorporate a gender perspective into peacekeeping operations, and urged the Secretary-General to ensure that, where appropriate, field operations included a gender component. The resolution also calls on all parties to armed conflict to take special measures to protect women and girls from gender based violence.
What is now clear is that what happened in Somalia was not an isolated occurrence. But even one atrocity necessitates appropriate fact-finding and accountability. The sanctioning of conduct of UN peacekeeping troops is left to the military courts or judicial systems of the sending states. When such acts are addressed at all in the national system, they are far removed from those most affected. The impacts on communities are devastating when targeted by those who often represent their last hope for security and stability.
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF),
777 UN Plaza, New York, NY 10017
Ph +1 (212) 682-1265;
Fax + 212 286 8211
Email wilpfun@igc.org
Web http://www.wilpf.int.ch , http://www.peacewomen.org , http://www.reachingcriticalwill.org
Women's caucus for Gender Justice (WCGJ )
P O Box 3541 Grand Central Post office
New York, 10163 USA
Tel +1 (718) 626-2681;
Fax + 1 718 626 3528
Email: caucus@iccwomen.org
Web http://www.iccwomen.orgCenter for the Strategic Initiatives of Women (CSIW),
1155 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20036 , USA
Tel. +1-202-223-7956
Fax +1-202-785-1944
Email csiw@csiw.org
Web http://www.csiw.org