[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 62 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 62

To urge the President to direct the United States representative to the 
 United Nations to use the voice and vote of the United States to hold 
the United Nations and its member states accountable for allegations of 
     sexual abuse and exploitation by United Nations peacekeepers.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 24, 2017

Ms. Tenney (for herself, Mr. Schneider, Mrs. Hartzler, and Mrs. Wagner) 
 submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to 
                    the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
To urge the President to direct the United States representative to the 
 United Nations to use the voice and vote of the United States to hold 
the United Nations and its member states accountable for allegations of 
     sexual abuse and exploitation by United Nations peacekeepers.

Whereas United Nations peacekeeping missions aim to establish conditions for 
        peace and stability in countries impacted by conflict;
Whereas United Nations peacekeepers are tasked with monitoring and observing 
        peace processes, assisting in the implementation of peace agreements, 
        and facilitating electoral support and development, among other things;
Whereas United Nations peacekeepers have the sacred responsibility to protect 
        vulnerable populations such as women and children with integrity and in 
        accordance with established rules of engagement and applicable laws;
Whereas over the last two decades, with bipartisan support and under 
        administrations of both parties, the United States has used its 
        permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council to authorize 
        peacekeeping missions in order to promote stability abroad and safeguard 
        United States interests;
Whereas there are nearly 115,000 uniformed and civilian personnel currently 
        serving on 16 missions across four continents, with the vast majority of 
        those peacekeeping personnel serving honorably;
Whereas a number of United Nations peacekeepers have faced allegations of sexual 
        abuse and exploitation against local populations, including sex-
        trafficking, rape, and other forms of inexcusable physical and emotional 
        abuse;
Whereas such allegations have mainly involved women and children;
Whereas a recent report by the Associated Press published on April 12, 2017, 
        found that over the past 12 years, more than 2,000 allegations of sexual 
        abuse and exploitation by peacekeepers have been reported with most 
        going unpunished;
Whereas the former Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, called 
        sexual abuse by peacekeepers ``a cancer in our system'';
Whereas individuals displaced by conflict are particularly vulnerable and 
        generally reside in countries with weak institutional structures, making 
        them more susceptible to exploitation;
Whereas the current Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, 
        has stated that the United Nation ``will not tolerate anyone committing 
        or condoning sexual exploitation and abuse'' and has made a commitment 
        to address the issue;
Whereas the United Nations has taken positive steps in recent years to address 
        the issues of sexual abuse and exploitation, such as by improving its 
        vetting and training processes and by expediting investigations; and
Whereas the United States, as the largest contributor of financial support to 
        United Nations peacekeeping operations, has an obligation to hold the 
        United Nations accountable and assist the body in addressing issues of 
        sexual abuse and exploitation: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) strongly condemns all forms of sexual abuse and 
        exploitation perpetrated by United Nations peacekeepers;
            (2) acknowledges the early signs of progress made by the 
        United Nations to address issues of sexual abuse and 
        exploitation but recognizes that there is far more work to be 
        done to enhance training, strengthen vetting, and improve 
        investigations;
            (3) urges the President to direct the United States 
        representative to the United Nations to use the voice and vote 
        of the United States to confront the issue of sexual abuse and 
        exploitation within the United Nations and to establish a clear 
        and meaningful policy to hold troop-contributing countries 
        accountable and to assist the body in providing victims the 
        justice they deserve, particularly by improving the vetting and 
        training of peacekeepers, and by strengthening investigation 
        standards; and
            (4) urges other member states and troop-contributing 
        countries to fully investigate allegations of sexual abuse and 
        exploitation by peacekeepers and to take all necessary and 
        appropriate actions to bring perpetrators to justice.
                                 <all>