By Paula Buzzi
Impunity Watch Reporter, South America
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay – Several Uruguayan troops on a U.N. peacekeeping mission in Haiti are being investigated after a video captured on a cell phone revealed what appears to be a young local man being physically and possibly sexually assaulted by at least five Uruguayan troops.
The video, which lasts approximately one minute, shows a half-naked man of approximately 18 years of age being pinned down and physically assaulted on a mattress by several Uruguayan troops in camouflage. The video was filmed at a U.N. base in Port-Salut and was recently posted on the internet.
Kieran Dwyer, U.N. peacekeeping spokesman, in a statement said that the U.N. acted immediately after first hearing about the incident and has launched an urgent investigation.
Uruguayan Defense Minister, Eleuterio Fernandez Huidobro, confirmed that the National Defense Ministry has also opened up an investigation and is ordering the return of the Armed Forces members from Haiti as well as the replacement of the Chief of the Naval Contingent. The navy commander in charge of the troops involved has also been recalled to Uruguay.
According to a statement made by Uruguayan Defense Ministry, if found guilty, those involved could face dishonorable discharge from the navy and lose their retirement rights.
Haitian President Michel Martelly, in a statement released late on Sunday, stated that: “The Presidency vigorously condemns this act which revolts the nation’s conscience and awaits a detailed report establishing the exact facts and circumstances.”
Martelly has urged that a meeting be set up between Haitian authorities and U.N. mission leaders to discuss ways to prevent any more acts of abuse.
U.N. began the peacekeeping mission in Haiti in 2004 after former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide was forced into exile.
Tensions between the locals and the U.N. peacekeepers, however, have been on the rise for the past couple of years. Last year, peacekeepers from Nepal were accused of causing the deadly cholera epidemic, which resulted in over 6,200 deaths and hospitalized more than 438,000.
Angry over the recent events, local residents have already begun demonstrations calling for the ousting of all U.N. peacekeepers.
For more information, please see:
Aljazeera – Uruguay recalls troops over Haiti ‘sex abuse’ – 05 September 2011
BBC News – Haiti anger over alleged Uruguay UN rape – 05 September 2011
CNN – Uruguayan peacekeepers in Haiti investigated for alleged assault – 05 September 2011
The Telegraph – Uruguayan peacekeepers investigated over Haiti sexual assault – 05 September 2011
