UN peacekeepers jailed for sex abuse
Six Nepali soldiers have been jailed for sexual abuse in Congo where they were serving as United Nations peacekeepers.
Over the past year, the United Nations has investigated 150 allegations of sexual abuse, including gang rape of women and girls, against 50 soldiers of different nationalities in Congo.
“Each of the six soldiers has been sentenced to three months in jail after a general court martial found them guilty of sexual abuses,” an army officer said. He gave no other details.
The six soldiers were recalled in May to face investigation into the allegations of abuse.
Nepal, which has been sending troops for peace operations in different countries for decades, has more than 950 men in Congo, helping UN peacekeeping efforts.
Early this year, the UN banned peacekeepers from having sex with the Congolese as part of a new “non-fraternisation policy”.
Young children were bribed with eggs, milk or a few dollars for sex, according to UN reports on widespread abuses among its peacekeepers.