UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations is investigating an allegation of the rape of an underage girl in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by an international civilian staff member of the peacekeeping mission (MONUSCO), a spokesman said on Tuesday.
"We are extremely concerned by this allegation of the rape of a child," Farhan Haq, deputy chief UN spokesman, told reporters at UN Headquarters. The alleged victim was not further identified, nor was the place of occurrence or even the alleged assailant.
The allegation was first reported by the girl's mother to local courts in July who then reported it to the mission's conduct and discipline team earlier this month, said Haq.
"The event itself was reported to have occurred in 2016," Haq said. "We understand that this matter was reported to the local courts in July 2017 and they are aware of the allegations."
The spokesman said the head of MONUSCO "determined that sufficient evidence exists to warrant an investigation" and referred the matter to the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services at UN Headquarters "for appropriate action."
The referral also contained a recommendation the staff member "be placed on administrative leave without pay pending investigation and the disciplinary process, if any," Haq said.
He added that "the minor victim has been referred to UNICEF for medical and psycho-social support. The mission will continue to monitor her well-being and maintain appropriate contact to insure that her needs are met by the service provider as necessary."
The spokesman said the allegation was first publicly reported on the UN's conduct and discipline website on Friday.
