Peacekeepers in Haiti need to be better trained, says U.N. official

For over three years a U.N. peacekeeping mission has been in Haiti in order to help combat crime and maintain order. However, the mission has not been without controversy as soldiers have been accused of child abuse and killing innocent civilians.

In an article published today special U.N. rapporteur on torture Manfred Nowak called for the world body to raise the standards of soldiers hired for peacekeeping operations. “The UN must apply stricter criteria when recruiting soldiers” said Nowak as he also proposed that the global body create its own army.

Nowak did not specify past abuses by U.N. troops in Haiti, though he did acknowledge abuses by Moroccan troops in the Ivory Coast. Approximately 7500 U.N. peacekeepers are in Haiti for the time being.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will visit Haiti this week and meet with President Rene Preval.

Sources- Wikipedia, BBC News, Haiti Action, ABC Online, Monsters & Critics, BBC News, Guardian UK, MINUSTAH: United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, People’s Daily Online

Image- BBC News