Sri Lankan peacekeepers in Haiti accused of abuse

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Sri Lankan peacekeepers in Haiti accused of abuse
02 Nov 2007 18:34:50 GMT
Source: Reuters

UNITED NATIONS, Nov 2 (Reuters) - More than 100
Sri Lankan peacekeepers have been accused of
sexual exploitation and abuse in Haiti and will be
sent home on Saturday, the United Nations said, in
the latest sexual abuse scandal involving U.N.
peacekeeping missions.

U.N. spokeswoman Michele Montas said on Friday
108 of Sri Lanka's 950 soldiers in Haiti were being
sent home on disciplinary grounds.

"The United Nations and the Sri Lankan government
deeply regret any sexual exploitation and abuse that
has occurred," Montas told reporters, adding that
U.N. authorities were working to assist the victims.

Asked about the specific allegations against the
peacekeepers, Montas said they involved
"transactional sex."

"There is a question of some underage girls," she
added.

-snip-

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