Must Boys Be Boys? Urges End to Exploitation by Peacekeepers

Abuse by UN troops still widespread, says report Julian Borger in Washington Thursday October 20, 2005 The Guardian Rules aimed at curbing sexual abuse by United Nations peacekeeping forces are not being properly implemented because of a prevailing "boys will be boys" attitude among the troops, according to an independent review. A policy of zero tolerance and zero impunity was declared this year after a UN investigation into abuse in Congo, but a new report by Refugees International found the policy is often not taken seriously in the "hyper-masculine culture" of the peacekeeping forces. Instead, rape and the use of prostitutes are still widespread, according to the report. Download full report here.