The United Nations fund for victims of sexual exploitation and abuse. Positive aspects and critical issues of an internal accountability mechanism

Faced with the phenomenon of sexual abuse and exploitation committed by peacekeepers, the United Nations has adopted a series of measures aimed at putting an end to such practices. These measures form part of the Organisation’s zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse – a policy grounded in prevention, repression, and support for victims. After outlining the main aspects of the UN’s so-called “zero tolerance” policy, the present article focuses specifically on the Trust Fund for Victims of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation, established in 2016 as part of the UN’s broader strategy, and on the right of victims to obtain compensation for damages, in order to assess the Fund’s effectiveness and its critical aspects. This instrument appears particularly noteworthy because, as part of the Organisation’s internal accountability mechanisms, it provides a valuable perspective from which to assess the relationship between victims’ rights and the Organisation’s prerogatives. Indeed, despite the limitations that will be discussed, it seeks to guarantee victims’ rights (including the right to reparation) in view of the enormous challenges they encounter in holding both individual peacekeepers and the Organisation itself accountable for acts of omissions.

Il contributo esamina il Fondo per le vittime di sfruttamento e abuso sessuale da parte dei peacekeepers anche alla luce del diritto di quest'ultime alla riparazione.