Statement [Made on Behalf of the Security Council, at the 5191st Meeting, 31 May 2005, in Connection with the Council's Consideration of the Item Entitled "United Nations Peacekeeping Operations"]

S/PRST/2005/21View PDF

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

A Presidential Statement of the Security Council, under agenda item 18 United Nations peacekeeping operations, published in 2005.

What subjects does this mandate have?

10 subjects

Accountability Criminal Investigation Military Personnel Peacekeeping Operations Prosecution Report Preparation Sexual Harassment Sexual Offences Standards of Conduct Troop-Contributing States

What’s in this document?

9 paragraphs

At the 5191st meeting of the Security Council, held on 31 May 2005, in connection with the Council’s consideration of the item entitled “United Nations peacekeeping operations”, the President of the Security Council made the following statement on behalf of the Council:

“The Security Council recognizes the vital role that United Nations peacekeeping operations have played for decades in bringing peace and stability to countries emerging from war. The Council further recognizes that, with few exceptions, the women and men who serve in United Nations peacekeeping operations do so with the utmost professionalism, dedication and, in some cases, make the ultimate sacrifice.

“The Security Council is deeply concerned with the allegations of sexual misconduct by United Nations peacekeeping personnel. The distinguished and honourable record of accomplishment in United Nations peacekeeping is being tarnished by the acts of a few individuals.

“The Security Council condemns, in the strongest terms, all acts of sexual abuse and exploitation committed by United Nations peacekeeping personnel. The Council reiterates that sexual exploitation and abuse are unacceptable and have a detrimental effect on the fulfilment of mission mandates.

“The Security Council, while confirming that the conduct and discipline of troops is primarily the responsibility of Troop Contributing Countries, recognizes the shared responsibility of the Secretary-General and all Member States to take every measure within their purview to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse by all categories of personnel in United Nations peacekeeping missions, to enforce United Nations standards of conduct in this regard. The Security Council reiterates the importance of ensuring that sexual exploitation and abuse are properly investigated and appropriately punished.

“The Security Council underlines that the provision of an environment in which sexual exploitation and abuse are not tolerated is primarily the responsibility of managers and commanders.

“The Security Council welcomes the comprehensive report on sexual exploitation and abuse by United Nations Peacekeeping Personnel (A/59/710), prepared by the Secretary-General’s Adviser on this issue, H.R.H. Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid Al-Hussein, Permanent Representative of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the United Nations. The Council also welcomes the report of the resumed session of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping (A/59/19/Add.1).

“The Security Council urges the Secretary-General and Troop Contributing Countries to ensure that the recommendations of the Special Committee, which fall within their respective responsibilities, are implemented without delay.

“The Security Council will consider including relevant provisions for prevention, monitoring, investigation and reporting of misconduct cases in its resolutions establishing new mandates or renewing existing mandates. In this regard, the Security Council calls on the Secretary-General to include, in his regular reporting of peacekeeping missions, a summary of the preventive measures taken to implement a zero-tolerance policy and of the outcome of actions taken against personnel found culpable of sexual exploitation and abuse.”

Who adopted this document and its mandates?

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