U.N. Worker Fired in Sex Abuse Case

The world body has fired one employee and suspended six without pay over allegations of sexual misconduct in the peacekeeping mission in Congo, a U.N. spokesman said Thursday.

The allegations of sex abuse in Congo and several other peacekeeping missions by both soldiers and civilian employees have severely tarnished the United Nations’ reputation, and led to promises of reform and swift justice.

Although the U.N. has taken measures to try to stop the abuse, the U.N. watchdog agency said in January that abuse by peacekeepers continued.

U.N. spokesman Fred Eckhard said action had been taken against 17 civilians in the Congo mission. In addition to the staff member who was fired and the six suspended, he said, one resigned rather than face discipline and another employee’s case was under review.

Eckhard said investigators had determined that allegations against three people were unsubstantiated. One of those cleared was Jacques Grinberg, the former chief of staff of the Congo mission, known as MONUC.

Allegations of sexual exploitation of girls as young as 13 by U.N. forces in Congo started emerging around the eastern town of Bunia in early 2004. About 150 cases were reported.

Nearly 17,000 U.N. peacekeepers are deployed in Congo.