LEBANON: RESPONSE REGARDING UN EFFORTS TO COMBAT

UNCLAS BEIRUT 000116 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ELA P FOR DRUSSELL AND RRANGASWAMY IO/PSC FOR ODELL USUN FOR WOLFF/GERMAIN/SCHEDLBAUER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CD CT KPKO MO PREL SU WI UN PGOV LE SUBJECT: LEBANON: RESPONSE REGARDING UN EFFORTS TO COMBAT SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN UN PEACEKEEPING MISSIONS REF: A. 08 STATE 125595 ¶B. 08 BEIRUT 00005 ¶1. (SBU) Post found no public or media reports about TIP or SEA involving UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) personnel in Lebanon. Similarly, UNIFIL officials told us that there were no cases or reports of TIP or SEA involving UNIFIL personnel in 2008. UNIFIL staff officers continue to receive training in international humanitarian law, provided by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to help prevent SEA and TIP. For UNIFIL contingents, UNIFIL has scheduled the ICRC to conduct similar humanitarian law training for all contingents within the first two weeks of their arrival in the mission area. ¶3. (SBU) A new initiative started in 2009, undertaken by the UNIFIL Conduct and Discipline Team, will include training of all contingents about UN standards of conduct. This training will cover combating sexual harassment exploitation and abuse. UNIFIL aims to have this training given to all contingents within one month of their arrival to the mission. ¶3. (SBU) Post contacted the Foundation for Human and Humanitarian Rights in Lebanon. The head of the Education Committee, Jean Pierre Katrib, told PolOff he had no derogatory information concerning UNIFIL and TIP/SEA. ¶4. (U) The Lebanese public is generally supportive of the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon and its personnel. ¶5. (U) UNIFIL's mandate currently extends until August 31, ¶2009. SISON