UPDATE: Mission Justice is changing. Click here for more information, and here to read our September 2019 policy proposals 

Beyond 2272

We believe that sexual violence by UN Peacekeepers is a crime that requires a criminal justice response.

In March 2016, the Security Council passed resolution 2272 to address sexual exploitation and abuse in peace operations. It's an important first step, now we need to build on it.

We call upon the UN to make sure that states who are unable to prosecute perpetrators cannot contribute troops.

Our campaign is based on the following principles:

1. Clarity over responsibility for investigation. At every stage of the investigative process it must be clear who has responsibility for moving the investigation to the next phase, and the process of criminal accountability must take precedence over the administrative investigation. Responsibility cannot be shared or shirked, but must be held by a named individual at all times until the baton is passed on. 
2. Prosecution as the end goal. An investigation into an allegation of sexual violence should only ever end in prosecution, or in a finding that there is not enough evidence to justify prosecution. The latter should trigger a review of how the case was handled and if evidence gathering mechanisms need to be strengthened.
3. No peacekeeper should be above the law. Peacekeepers who cannot be held to account criminally should not be deployed. We should protect potential victims, and protect peacekeeping, by not allowing troops or police to deploy unless their contributing country has demonstrated a willingness and ability to prosecute personnel who commit sexual crimes. 

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We have come up with specific proposals to turn these principles into reality. Proposals we call "Beyond 2272".

Beyond 2272 is about:

• Treating sexual violence as a distinct issue from the wider problem of sexual exploitation and abuse. A crime which requires a criminal justice response
• Ensuring responsibility for investigation is connected to a trigger mechanism to turn the words of Security Council resolution 2272 into reality. Contingents against whom there are "widespread or systemic" allegations, contingents that don't investigate allegations, and contingents that don't share information, need to be sent home
• Pushing for a new resolution to prevent peacekeepers from being deployed unless they are able to demonstrate willingness and ability to prosecute acts of sexual violence
• Working with troop contributors to fill jurisdictional gaps

Please click here to download our policy platform.