Africa News
UN reports child prostitution in Congo peacekeeping mission
Aug 17, 2006, 18:10 GMT
New York - The UN has launched an investigation into serious allegations that UN peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo had engaged in financing child prostitution, a spokesman said Thursday.
The case was first thought to have involved Congolese soldiers in the northeastern region of South Kibu, but it was discovered that UN peacekeepers were part of the ring of child prostitution, said Stephane Dujarric.
'The UN mission is shocked and appalled by allegations of the existence of a vast prostitution ring involving peace troops,' Dujarric said.
He said that victims cited the participation of UN troops, who use cash to incite young girls to engage in prostitution. Dujarric said that an investigation was underway.
The United Nations has a zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual exploitation by UN troops.
UN peace troops in Congo have been charged in past years with using their positions to sexually exploit females in refugee camps.
© 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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