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