United Nations General Assembly
12 September 2007
Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Assistance and Support to Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
Statement by HE the Hon Robert Hill, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
On behalf of Canada, Australia and New Zealand
(As delivered)
Mr Chairman,
I have the honour to make this statement on behalf of the CANZ Group of countries – Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
We thank the Chairman for convening this meeting today, and thank the Secretariat and all UN agencies which have contributed to the development of the proposed strategy to address the issue of victim assistance.
Sexual exploitation and abuse by UN staff and related personnel (including police and members of military contingents) is among the most appalling forms of breach of trust. When it occurs, it has a profound impact on the lives of those against whom such acts are committed. It also undermines the UN as an institution and tarnishes its reputation. All Member States and the UN, as our collective organization, share responsibilities to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse, to ensure that those who perpetrate such acts are held accountable and to provide support to victims who have had such heinous acts committed against them.
We strongly support the adoption of a comprehensive policy and strategy to provide assistance to victims of sexual exploitation and abuse by UN staff and related personnel. The proposed strategy provides us with parameters within which to work to address this issue, such as the victim advocacy system and the provision of assistance and support through community mechanisms.
We strongly support the way forward outlined by the Chairman of the Working Group at the August meeting, in the lead up to a substantive session later this year. CANZ has submitted written comments to the Chairman, and we welcome engagement with the Secretariat and other Member States on this submission prior to our discussions in December.
CANZ recognises that the proposed victim assistance strategy is intended to apply to all UN staff and related personnel in all UN duty stations. This approach reinforces our collective responsibility to enforce zero tolerance and zero impunity for those responsible for these egregious acts, and to provide assistance and support to those against whom such acts have been committed. The concerted efforts of the UN and all Member States to address sexual exploitation and abuse does not diminish the responsibility of individual perpetrators of these acts.
Canada, Australia and New Zealand support the principle of providing assistance to victims of sexual exploitation and abuse in various ways adapted to the circumstances.
We are pleased to see that the proposed strategy includes three categories of persons to whom different types of assistance is to be provided. On the whole, the range and types of assistance to be provided appear relevant and appropriate. We note that the proposed strategy identifies, among other measures, the possibility of providing financial support to victims. It indicates that financial assistance will only be granted in exceptional cases and in accordance with guidelines which would elaborate on the scale of support and the circumstances under which this support would be provided. In order to move forward with a decision on this aspect of the strategy, CANZ believes that it is critical that these guidelines be developed prior to December 2007, so that they may be considered along with the proposed policy and strategy.
We also look forward to receiving as soon as possible from the Secretariat, a specific proposal with respect to a funding mechanism. It is our preference that such a mechanism be established via assessed contributions.
Mr Chairman, we would like again to thank you for taking the leadership of this very important working group. Be assured that Canada, Australia and New Zealand will support you in your task of achieving agreement on a policy and strategy that will provide support to victims of sexual exploitation and abuse as soon as possible. We are committed to moving ahead with this policy and strategy.
Thank you, Mr Chairman.