Allegations of misconduct, especially sexual misconduct, committed by United Nations peacekeepers have arisen with persistent regularity in the past and may continue to arise in future missions. These incidents are particularly unacceptable as the United Nations, and personnel associated with it, are held to the highest standards of conduct in their personal and professional behaviour. Such allegations also present a serious public information problem and challenge not only to field missions, but also to United Nations Headquarters and ultimately to the Secretary-General. Even if the number of actual incidents is small, the negative publicity these cases generate tarnishes the image of the United Nations in general and of peacekeeping in particular, and temporarily overshadows, in the public consciousness, the many successes and achievements of the missions themselves.
Among the local population, an absence of visible accountability gives rise to the perception that those accused may get away with their crimes. For a larger international audience, the regularity of these allegations generates a perception that the United Nations is not doing enough to prevent misconduct, including sexual misconduct, among personnel serving in peacekeeping and other field operations.
Public interest and media interest in such allegations will remain strong and broad media coverage must be anticipated when such allegations come to light. Public information personnel in field missions must work with local and international media representatives to project the key messages as outlined below.
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