2007年VOA标准英语-UN to Investigate Sexual Abuse Allegations in S

By Tom Rivers
London
03 January 2007

The United Nations says it will investigate allegations that some peacekeepers in southern Sudan have been involved in the rape¹ and sexual abuse of children. The abuse allegations were published Tuesday in Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper. For VOA News, Tom Rivers reports from London.

Citing an internal UNICEF report and interviews with nearly two dozen alleged² victims, the Telegraph newspaper says U.N. peacekeepers and civilian³ staff have been involved in the rape and abuse of children as young as 12 in southern Sudan.

The paper says it gathered personal accounts of those said to have been victimized in the town of Juba. It reported the first signs of sexual exploitation surfaced shortly after the peacekeepers arrived in southern Sudan, nearly two years ago.

There are more than 11,000 U.N. peacekeepers and police from 70 countries in the region.

The Telegraph reports Sudan's government gathered evidence, including video footage of U.N. workers having sex with young girls.

U.N. Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Jane Holl Lute⁴ is quoted in the paper as saying, the allegations would be investigated.

U.N. policy prohibits all personnel from engaging in sexual exploitation, abuse or prostitution.

1 rape   

n.抢夺，掠夺，强奸；vt.掠夺，抢夺，强奸

参考例句：

• The rape of the countryside had a profound ravage on them.对乡村的掠夺给他们造成严重创伤。
• He was brought to court and charged with rape.他被带到法庭并被指控犯有强奸罪。

2 alleged   

a.被指控的，嫌疑的

参考例句：

• It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
• alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为

3 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

4 lute   

n.琵琶，鲁特琴

参考例句：

• He idly plucked the strings of the lute.他漫不经心地拨弄着鲁特琴的琴弦。
• He knows how to play the Chinese lute.他会弹琵琶。