India to UN: Action against bad apples among peace-keepers

New Delhi, Nov 2 (PTI) With its peace-keepers in Congo
accused of sexual exploitation and abuse, India has told the
United Nations that such behaviour is "totally unacceptable"
and gave an assurance of a thorough investigation into acts of
misconduct and action against those found guilty.

India also appealed to the United Nations to implement
the revised Model M.o.U. adopted by the General Assembly at
the earliest.

"As regards conduct and discipline of troops, we regard
sexual exploitation and abuse as totally unacceptable forms of
behaviour.

"We fully support the implementation of a policy of zero
tolerance and encourage raising the awareness of those with
the managerial and command responsibilities and the
establishing of standards of conduct, training and
investigation," E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan, member of an
Indian delegation, told the 4th committee of the 63rd session
of the United Nations General Assembly last week.

The Indian M.P. said careful preparatory training in
terms of a multi-cultural, pluralistic and tolerant outlook is
as important as subsequent swift punitive action, once
culpability is established.

"India is committed to prompt and thorough investigation
of any act of misconduct and if proven, strict and exemplary
action would be taken as per the law," he said.

Noting that India supports the efforts to enhance
peacekeeping capacity of African countries with whom New Delhi
shares close and historic ties, Natchiappan said at the same
time the U.N. cannot absolve "itself of its responsibility
under the Charter for the maintenance of international peace
and security".

"The real challenge before the U.N. is to strengthen
peacekeeping without regionalising it," he said.

India also called upon the United Nations to energise the
triangular consultation mechanism between Troop Contributing
Countries (T.C.C.s), the Security Council and the U.N.
Secretariat for serious or meaningful discussions.

"It is important that T.C.C.s be involved early and fully
in all aspects and stages of mission planning and that their
views find their way into mission mandates. The experience and
expertise of T.C.C.s would help in developing effective
mandates for Peacekeeping missions," Natchiappan said.

India has contributed more than a lakh troops for U.N.
peacekeeping and participated in more than 40 missions.

The M.P. noted India has also traditionally been
contributing lady military and police officers to a number of
U.N. missions and added that New Delhi has provided the first
full Female Formed Police Unit for peacekeeping work.

"This unit has been assisting the U.N. Mission in Liberia
for the last two years and has been successful in reaching out
to the most vulnerable sections of society in a post-conflict
environment, besides performing its normal duties," he said.