UNIFIL EFFORTS TO COMBAT SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND

UNCLAS BEIRUT 000040 SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO/PSC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KPKO PHUM LE UN SUBJECT: UNIFIL EFFORTS TO COMBAT SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING REF: A. 09 STATE 130760 ¶B. 09 BEIRUT 116 ¶1. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has an authorized strength of 15,000 troops with current troop strength at just over 12,500. In response to ref A, we found no public or media reports concerning trafficking in persons (TIP) or sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) involving UNIFIL personnel, and UNIFIL officials reported there were no allegations filed against UNIFIL personnel in ¶2009. In addition, an official from the Lebanese office of Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported to that HRW had no information on any TIP or SEA incidents involving UNIFIL personnel. ¶2. 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. Military staff officers and civilian staff also receive a briefing on UN standards of conduct that focuses on SEA and the requirement to uphold international humanitarian law. ¶3. Since March 2009, the Regional Conduct and Discipline Team (RCDT) based in UNIFIL has been carrying out two training activities for UNIFIL military personnel. First, all contingent/unit commanders are briefed on UN rules and regulations as well as UNIFIL-specific standards of conduct to ensure that they are fully aware of their leadership obligations to uphold and maintain the expected standards of conduct, including the prohibitions on SEA. Second, the RCDT also conducts a train-the-trainers seminar for contingents and military units at the earliest opportunity, typically within their first month of arrival. Following the training, the trainers then train the troops on topics including SEA, the requirement to uphold international humanitarian law, and the responsibility and avenues for reporting misconduct. ¶4. The Embassy contacted the UNIFIL Office of Political Affairs, Human Rights Watch, and the International Catholic Migration Commission to compile the data for this report. Point of contact for this report is Joshua W. Polacheck. SISON