GEORGIA: EFFECTIVENESS OF UN EFFORTS TO COMBAT

UNCLAS TBILISI 001229

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR IO/PSC & EUR/CARC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM KPKO GG
SUBJECT: GEORGIA: EFFECTIVENESS OF UN EFFORTS TO COMBAT
SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE IN UN PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS

REF: A. SECSTATE 68780

B. TBILISI 68


1. In response to ref A, post provides information on
Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Sexual Exploitation and
Abuse (SEA) in relation to the United Nations Observer
Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG). This report combines input
solicited from Georgian law enforcement officials,
international organizations, NGO experts on TIP, and
representatives from the UNOMIG office in Tbilisi. As post
has noted in previous reports, due to the isolated nature of
UNOMIG in the separatist region of Abkhazia, it remains a
challenge for our Georgian sources -- who are prohibited from
traveling to the region -- to comment with complete certainty
on the activities of UNOMIG staff.


2. There is no NGO, popular, or government perception that
UNOMIG is involved in TIP or SEA in Georgia. The prosecutor
General's office confirmed to us that there have been no
investigations of UNOMIG officials in connection with such
abuses. Officials from both the International Organization
for Migration (IOM) and the Anti-Violence Network of Georgia,
a leading NGO combating crimes against women, told us they
had no information connecting UNOMIG personnel to any such
abuses.


3. UNOMIG officials informed us that SEA issues are handled
in the mission by two SEA focal points. Their
responsibilities are three-fold: training of all categories
of mission staff, dissemination of information, and follow-up
on allegations of SEA. In December 2007, UNOMIG's Conduct
and Discipline Unit (which was set up in August 2007),
completed a round of briefings with all categories of mission
staff to refresh everyone's knowledge of UN Conduct policies;
briefings are also provided to all incoming staff. These
briefings contain a specific section on SEA and related
issues. Despite limited access to the local Abkhaz
population, the Conduct and Discipline Unit conducted as
planned (ref B) a small public information campaign and
awareness-raising activities with external partners during
the first half of 2008.
TEFFT