Photo: UNMIL

Page resources

• GA Res 59/19/Rev. 1 - Report of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations
• General Assembly Resolution 59/300
• Report of the Secretary-General pursuant to GA resolution on sexual exploitation and abuse
• GA Resolution 59/287

The Role of Conduct and Discipline Unit

• Act as Mission Focal Point for all conduct and discipline matters.
  
• Provide policy guidance and information to Mission on issues relating to Conduct and Discipline, and ensure coherence in the application of standards of conduct for all categories of peacekeeping personnel.
  
• Provide advice to all categories of UN personnel on Conduct and Discipline issues.
  
• Assist the Mission in developing strategies to prevent, identify and respond effectively to misconduct by all categories of peacekeeping personnel on all types of misconduct including: Category 1 Violations:
  • Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
  • Abuse of authority or staff
  • Substantial violation of United Nations regulations, rules or administrative issuances 
  • Category 2 Violations:
  • Personnel matters
  • Traffic-related offenses
  • Simple entitlements fraud
    


• Receive complaints/reports of misconduct and refer them to the investigative mechanisms United Nations Police (UNPOL), Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and the Office of the Internal Oversight Services (OIOS).
• Liaise with the Director of Mission Support and recommend appropriate action to Head of Mission.
• Maintain a comprehensive database of all reported misconduct cases in the mission and submit monthly reports on such cases to the Conduct and Discipline Unit in Head Quarters and the Head of Mission. Liaise with the Integrated Mission Training Centre, the United Nations Country Team, Local and International Non Governmental Organizations, Government Ministries and Women’s and Youth Groups to promote standardised training and awareness-raising on DPKO policies, procedures or guidelines on Conduct and Discipline for all personnel.
  

UN Standards of Conduct include:

• All Peacekeepers have a duty of care and responsibility in professional and personal conduct.
  
• Managers and Commanders have particular responsibility to ensure compliance with the UN Charter, rules and regulations and administrative issuances such as Code of Conduct, Directives, and information Circulars.
  

The following conduct is strictly prohibited for UNMIL personnel:

• Sex with under-age children (persons under the age of 18), regardless of consent. Ignorance of age is no excuse.
  
• Exchange of money, employment, goods, assistance or services for sex e.g. Sex with prostitutes.
  

Strongly discouraged conduct:

• Sex with beneficiaries of assistance (e.g local population in host country).
  

Consequences of misconduct include:
Administrative/ Disciplinary

• Breach of the Code of Conduct will result in administrative and/or disciplinary action and ineligibility to participate in future peacekeeping operations or employment in the UN System serious misconduct is substantiated.
  
• Military contingent members face possible dismissal, demotion and/or national criminal proceedings once repatriated. Paternity payments if pregnancy is confirmed to have occurred as a result of sexual exploitation or sexual abuse.
  
• Civilian Staff and UNVs risk termination of contracts; suspension from employment in the UN System; disciplinary action, possible extradition and prosecution in the country where the offence occurred.
  

Political and Social

• Negative impact on implementation of Mission’s mandate and credibility. The image and interests of the Organisation as well as country of origin of the offender are also adversely affected.
  

Health

• SEA-related misconduct increases exposure to infection, spread of HIV/AIDS and other STI’s / STD’s, as well as unwanted pregnancies.
  

Contact details:

Location in UNMIL: Conduct and Discipline Unit is located on 6th Floor, Room 606 of PAP Building

Hotline: 0531 62 62