UN proposes to strengthen refugee protection

The UN Security Council has proposed the establishment of channels of communication that would allow refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) to raise complaints of sexual abuse by staff of the UN and partner organisations. Details of the proposals are expected to be presented during a 15 March council meeting on the protection of civilians in armed conflicts. Through the proposed channels of communication, refugee children and IDPs would be able to voice such complaints to senior officials - which up until now they have not been able to do because there was no mechanism in place. Information about the channels, the UN reported on Monday, would be included in documents that outline rules to be followed when drafting mandates for peacekeeping operations. A report last week accused UN and local staff in charge of protecting refugees and IDPs in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, of sexually exploiting minors. Described by Secretary - General Kofi Annan as shocking, the report was issued by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and Save The Children-UK, following a probe in 2001. Meanwhile, UNHCR announced on Tuesday that Assistant High Commissioner Kamel Morjane was due to arrive in Conakry, Guinea, on a four-day visit "aimed at getting a first-hand view of efforts planned or now under way to strengthen the protection of children in refugee camps in the region". He is expected to travel to Sierra Leone on Friday.