U.N. to name security coordinator to help protect staff in war zones

February 9, 2000
Web posted at: 11:53 p.m. EST (0453 GMT)

Faced with a dramatic increase in killings, assaults and kidnappings of civilian staff worldwide, the United Nations will appoint a full-time security coordinator to try to protect U.N. personnel in conflict zones, a senior U.N. official said Wednesday.

Deputy Secretary-General Louise Frechette announced the measure at an unprecedented Security Council debate on the protection of humanitarian workers in conflict areas.

Since 1992, Frechette said, 184 staffers have died in the service of the United Nations. Of these, 98 were murdered, but only two perpetrators have been brought to justice for those crimes.

"What does this tell the world? That it is alright to kill United Nations personnel? That those who do so are guaranteed impunity? I trust not," Frechette said.

"But that is, in effect, the impression we will give until governments take the necessary measures to end impunity."

Frechette called on governments to ratify the 1994 Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel and to speed up approval of an International Criminal Court, "which defines intentional attacks on personnel involved in humanitarian assistance and peacekeeping as war crimes."

She also urged member states to contribute more money toward security training and equipment for humanitarian workers.

"The financing of security management and training remains piecemeal ... It also remains inadequate," said Frechette.

"We cannot just go on with our business," Frechette added. "Nor do we have the option of simply walking away from dangerous situations. Often the U.N. has to stay because it represents the last ray of hope for suffering populations."

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