UN - GA ADOPTS STRATEGY TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000007 SIPDIS SIPDIS G/TIP FOR CARLA MENARES-BURY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC KUNR PHUM PREL UNGA KPKO SUBJECT: UN - GA ADOPTS STRATEGY TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE REF: A. USUN 000662 ¶B. STATE 126999 ¶C. USUN 000796 ¶D. STATE 145222 ¶1. A working group of the General Assembly concluded its week-long session on December 7, 2007 by adopting the UN Comprehensive Strategy on Assistance and Support to Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) by UN Staff and Related Personnel (including members of peacekeeping contingents) (A/62/595). As adopted by the GA in plenary session on December 21st, the resolution and annexed strategy will be issued as A/RES/62/214. ¶2. In preparations leading up to and during the substantive session, the Chairman of the WG, Ambassador Urbina of Costa Rica, and his team, very ably facilitated the proceedings. Recognizing that consideration of the overly long and complex draft policy statement and draft comprehensive strategy prepared by the Secretariat (A/60/877) would not facilitate an agreement, the Chair prepared a streamlined non paper which served as the basis for negotiations. ¶3. USDel, working closely with Canada, Australia and Portugal, on behalf of the EU, was able to overcome the objections of Morocco, on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM),Pakistan, Guatemala and Russia and achieve agreement on a text that will be implemented within existing resources which strongly condemns all acts of SEA committed by UN staff or related personnel; reiterates its support for the SYG's zero tolerance policy; identifies three categories of persons who would be provided assistance - complainants, victims (complainants whose claims have been established),and children born as a result of SEA; describes the nature of such assistance; and calls on implementing partners to provide the services outlined and to act as Victim Support Facilitators. As indicated in the Strategy, its implementation will not diminish or replace the individual responsibility for acts of SEA, which rests with the perpetrators. The SYG will report to the GA at its 64th session on implementation of the Strategy including lessons learned, best practices and recommendations. ¶4. Following adoption of the resolution in plenary, USDel delivered the following statement: The United States is very gratified to note that the General Assembly has now taken action on this important pillar of the Organization's response to sexual exploitation and abuse. Victims of sexual exploitation and abuse by UN staff and related personnel will now receive the assistance they need to address the very real needs arising out of these reprehensible acts. My delegation is especially pleased to note that in adopting this text, the international community strongly condemns all acts of sexual exploitation and abuse and reiterates its support for the Secretary-General's zero tolerance policy. We call on all Member States to strengthen their resolve to change the culture of impunity that allows such horrific acts to take place. Wolcott