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UN Requests 'Urgent Report' on S. Sudan Sex Abuse Allegations
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Image copyright: Reuters [via Al Jazeera]
The Facts
UN Sec. General António Guterres has requested an "urgent report" detailing what actions have been taken by UN officials in South Sudan to address allegations of sexual abuse by aid workers at an UN-run camp and ensure accountability.
This comes after an investigation by Al Jazeera and The New Humanitarian reportedly revealed years of unchecked and widespread sexual exploitation at a UN-run refugee camp in Malakal, South Sudan, which hosts about 37K people.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
Seven years after the first accusations of abuse were reported, it's clear that the UN has been ineffective in dealing with this unacceptable crisis. Though Guterres' call for a report is not a bad thing, it's only the latest in a series of inadequate "calls for action." This situation is horrific and shows systemic failure in the UN system.
Pro-establishment narrative
Though outrageous incidents of sexual abuse haven't been fully eradicated, the UN has made strides. Since Secretary-General Guterres came to office, new protocols in training, risk assessments, and action plans have been implemented. This most recent call to action demonstrates the UN's commitment to helping these victims.
