Major interpellation - VP/HR - EU response to sexual misconduct in aid organisations
21.3.2018
Major interpellation for written answer with debate O-000032/2018
to the Commission (Vice-President / High Representative)
Rule 130b
Marietje Schaake, Eva Kaili, Hilde Vautmans, Rory Palmer, Petras Au拧trevi膷ius, Beatriz Becerra Basterrechea, Igor 艩oltes, Izaskun Bilbao Barandica, Liliana Rodrigues, Monika Be艌ov谩, Dominique Martin, Jordi Sol茅, Merja Kyll枚nen, Michaela 艩ojdrov谩, Anneli J盲盲tteenm盲ki, Patricia Lalonde, Marian Harkin, Maria Gabriela Zoan膬, Ant贸nio Marinho e Pinto, Catherine Bearder, Fredrick Federley, Renate Weber, Nathalie Griesbeck, Nadja Hirsch, John Howarth, Luke Ming Flanagan, Brando Benifei, Fr茅d茅rique Ries, Takis Hadjigeorgiou, Wajid Khan, Morten Helveg Petersen, Liisa Jaakonsaari, Tanja Fajon, Ana Gomes, Soraya Post, Jan Zahradil, Svetoslav Hristov Malinov, Jos茅 In谩cio Faria, Monica Macovei
Various cases of sexual abuse and misconduct within international aid organisations have recently come to light. These include the sexual exploitation of Syrian refugees by those delivering aid on behalf of the UN and well-known international organisations.
Several countries, including the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, have announced investigations into the funding they provide to these and other international organisations, and that they intend to take measures to prevent similar situations in the future. Through its external financial instruments and the European Development Fund, the EU provides billions of euros in assistance to third countries, through international organisations among other channels.
1. Will the VP/HR order a thorough investigation to determine whether EU funds have financed, either directly or indirectly, the organisations where sexual abuse has been established?
2. What is the response by the VP/HR to the abuse cases that have recently come to light? In order to combat and prevent sexual misconduct within international aid organisations, is there room for guidelines within the EU鈥檚 external financial instruments that would make funding strictly conditional upon respect for principles, oversight, guidelines, accountability and regular reporting from beneficiaries on this issue?
3. Will the VP/HR consider working with Member States such as the Netherlands to set up contact points in third countries, including in crisis zones, for victims of abuse?