Oral Answers to Questions — International Development – in the House of Commons at 11:30 am on 11 June 2008.
Stephen Crabb
Conservative, Preseli Pembrokeshire
11:30,
11 June 2008
If he will make representations to the United Nations to investigate allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse of children by UN workers and others engaged in humanitarian programmes.
Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under-Secretary(Department for International Development) (Trade Policy) (also Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform), Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform) (Trade and Consumer Affairs) (also Department for International Development), Party Chair, Co-operative Party
The UK takes all allegations of misconduct by peacekeepers and aid workers seriously. We fully support the UN Secretary-General's zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse and we work to ensure that the highest standards of conduct are required of UN personnel.
Stephen Crabb
Conservative, Preseli Pembrokeshire
I thank the Minister for that reply. However, we have been here before. The UN talks of zero tolerance, but not a single prosecution has ever been brought against a UN peacekeeper or UN member of staff for the kind of abhorrent crimes identified by Save the Children last week. So will the Minister today promise that not one additional penny of British aid will go to the UN until he receives an assurance from the Secretary-General that he will get a grip on his organisation and prevent members of his personnel from hiding behind legal immunity to carry out such crimes against the children they are mandated to protect?
Gareth Thomas
Parliamentary Under-Secretary(Department for International Development) (Trade Policy) (also Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform), Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform) (Trade and Consumer Affairs) (also Department for International Development), Party Chair, Co-operative Party
There has been a significant improvement in the UN's response to these allegations. The Save the Children report is nevertheless a timely reminder of the need to continue to do more to promote the highest standards among all humanitarian workers and peacekeepers. We will meet the UN Secretary-General next week and raise with him again the issues in the Save the Children report.
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