CODE RED: Peacekeeper sexual abuse resolution passes

It was a rewarding evening for proponents of the “CODE RED” resolution, which seeks to alter the United Nations’ current approach in the processing of peacekeepers that have sexually abused local citizens. “CODE RED” prescribes preventive measures by increasing education in communities affected by a mission and implementing a culturally aware peacekeeper-training program. Evidently, the delegates in the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations were especially receptive to the holistic approach detailed in the “CODE RED” resolution.

Clauses encouraging the inclusion of pre-existing infrastructure to execute UN goals were meant to counter concerns over the maintenance of national sovereignty and to increase the likelihood that countries would work together in eradicating sexual abuse by peacekeepers. Daniel Gurman, representative for Afghanistan and speaker for the resolution, said: “I think ‘CODE RED’ is by far the most effective resolution that was passed today. It is holistic, comprehensive and is not wordy for the sake of being wordy.”

Unfortunately, the Transparency in Peacekeeping Practices (TPP), previously outlined in an MIR article, “Eradicating Peacekeeper Sexual Abuse” did not pass, as many delegates saw this resolution as ineffectual and too expensive. Danish representative Adam Beach was strongly opposed to the TPP resolution and acted as the speaker against it, saying: “Denmark believes that the core solutions of TPP, like the ‘Peacekeeping is a Right not a Privilege Initiative’ and the proposed database, were either ineffectual or redundant, and these flaws warranted a no vote.” Indeed, yesterday morning’s session was riddled with voiced concerns over the TPP’s initiative, which outlined a plan to create a UN education program as part of a universal public school curriculum as well as the withdrawal of national contingents of peacekeepers showing significant numbers of sexual abuse cases. The feasibility of such policies seemed limited, since many states do not possess adequate infrastructure to enforce nation-wide education, let alone incorporate an entirely new curriculum component. Along with other elements, the world-wide education initiative was deemed to threaten the sovereignty of nations.

This latter concern remained an influent theme throughout the talks and strongly shaped the committee’s ability to pass or fail initiatives. It seemed that in order to formulate effective international policy, a balance had to be struck between the preservation of the autonomy of nations and the creation of infrastructure that is devoid of unnecessary bureaucracy, rendering initiatives inefficient. Of course, this is always easier said than done, but the popularity of “CODE RED” demonstrates that these issues endure in the minds of tomorrow’s global leaders.

Photo credits to McMUN/Philip Nguyen-Powanda