Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Stephen Crabb (Conservative). It was answered on Wednesday, 11 June 2008 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Sexual Exploitation of Children

Question: I thank the Minister for that reply. However, we have been here before. The UN talks of zero tolerance, but not a single prosecution has ever been brought against a UN peacekeeper or UN member of staff for the kind of abhorrent crimes identified by Save the Children last week. So will the Minister today promise that not one additional penny of British aid will go to the UN until he receives an assurance from the Secretary-General that he will get a grip on his organisation and prevent members of his personnel from hiding behind legal immunity to carry out such crimes against the children they are mandated to protect?

Answer: There has been a significant improvement in the UN's response to these allegations. The Save the Children report is nevertheless a timely reminder of the need to continue to do more to promote the highest standards among all humanitarian workers and peacekeepers. We will meet the UN Secretary-General next week and raise with him again the issues in the Save the Children report.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 477 c298
Session: 2007-08
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Children Abuse Development aid Humanitarian aid Misconduct Peacekeeping operations Offences against children Sexual offences United Nations
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk