by Edgar Allan J. Tac-an

There was a time when the UN peacekeeping missions are increasingly under threat and increasingly asked to manage conflicts. Their mandate is to protect civilians and help host countries prepare for elections. They are supportive in the prevention and mediation of conflicts.

In the past 15 years, the number of UN peacekeeping troops has increased from 20,000 to 130,000 with a budget of $8 billion.

But recent allegations involved UN peacekeepers in sexual abuse in Haiti, Liberia, Sudan and Central African Republic. According to report, from 2008 to 2013 there were 480 charges of sexual abuse involving children and teenagers.

“It is the worst thing that could happen which undermines the credibility of the United Nations,” said Nobel Peace Prize winner, Jose Ramos-Horta. To overcome this scandal, it will take huge efforts from the United Nations.

UN report recommends troops from countries with questionable records on children and armed conflict should be excluded from the UN peacekeeping missions.

Peacekeepers’ immunity from prosecution must not mean freedom from punishment. No one should be above the law.

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Tidbits:

The Asia-Pacific has now the most number of High Net Worth Individuals or HNWI. There are 4.69 million HNWI with investable assets of US$1 million or more excluding primary residence, collectibles, consumables, and consumer durables.

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An explanation of cause is not a justification by reason.