UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has ordered establishing an independent review panel to investigate the world body's handling of sexual abuse allegations involving French troops in the Central African Republic (CAR). The External Independent Review would examine the treatment of the specific report of abuse in the CAR as well as "a broad range of systemic issues related to how the UN responds to serious information of this kind," a statement issued by Ban's spokesman said here yesterday.
"In light of the recent serious allegations of sexual abuse against children in the Central African Republic by foreign troops not under the authority of the United Nations, the Secretary-General has decided to set up an External Independent Review to examine the UN system's handling of these allegations," it said. It added that the Secretary-General is "deeply disturbed" by the allegations of sexual abuse by soldiers in the CAR, as well as allegations of how this was handled by the various parts of the UN system involved.
"His intention in setting up this review is to ensure that the United Nations does not fail the victims of sexual abuse, especially when committed by those who are meant to protect them," the statement said, adding that the announcement on who will lead the review and its terms of reference will be made in the next few days.
