JINHA

NEWS CENTER – French troops sent to the Central African Republic to intervene allegedly sexually abused refugee children. Leaks related to the case indicate that the UN and French government have been aware of the abuse since at least July, but impunity continues.

French soldiers deployed in an airport refugee camp in the capital of Bangui allegedly assaulted at least 10 children who asked them for food during 2013 and 2014. The NGO AIDS-Free World, which operates in the Central African Republic, leaked reports to the Guardian yesterday indicating that the UN had quietly investigated the incident, but taken no action. One UN employee working on the case was removed from his or her job. The group is calling for a special court to try peacekeepers who have committed sexual abuse during the war in the country.

The French government announced yesterday that they have also known of the claims since July and have been conducting an investigation.

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