Overview
- Examines crimes committed by UN Peacekeepers in Africa
- Analyzes why certain types of crime are more prevalent than others
- Presents cultural and policy recommendations for improvement
Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Criminology (BRIEFSCRIMINOL)
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About this book
This timely volume explores the “dark side” of United Nations (UN) Peacekeeping in Africa: when rather than help establish a rule of law in the host country, they become perpetrators of crime. The work of the UN peacekeepers is generally comprised of police and military personnel, from countries who contribute voluntarily to assist war-torn countries create conditions for lasting peace. Overall, these peacekeeping efforts are perceived positively, with volunteers giving their time and risking their lives to bring normalcy and peace to civilians in countries with conflict. In fact, there are cases where UN Peacekeepers are sometimes the victims of violent crimes, and need security and protection themselves.
Although instances of abuse are not widespread and are certainly not isolated to Africa, this work focuses on Africa because there is a high concentration of UN Peacekeepers there, and lessons learned can be applied to other regions. The instances of abuse cover serious crimes including sexual abuse and exploitation, child and arms trafficking, and corruption, all of some of the most vulnerable populations in the world at the time. Although these instances are not extensive, they remain a fundamental problem because there is no existing mechanism for prosecution in the international area: it is only the troops’ home country, not the UN, who has the right to exercise criminal jurisdiction. The also undermine the good work that UN Peacekeepers are doing all over the world.
This work is concerned with highlighting why these instances occur, and why specific forms of abuse are more prevalent than others. It also discusses how to prevent abuse and violations from happening in the first place, and creating a culture of change and accountability. Finally, taking into account cultural and legal systems from troops’ home countries, the author considers the ways that local rules can be aligned with international standards. In will be ofinterest to researchers in Criminology and Criminal Justice, International Relations, Sociology and Demography, Public Health, Comparative Law, and other related disciplines.
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Keywords
Table of contents (5 chapters)
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Front Matter
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Back Matter
Authors and Affiliations
About the author
Dr. Kwame Akonor (PhD, City University of New York) is director of the African Development Institute, a New York based think tank that advocates self-reliant and endogenous development policies for Africa. ADI has a consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council. He is also a tenured Professor of International Relations and Human Rights at Seton Hall University (NJ), and Director of the University's Africana Studies Center. Dr. Akonor is author of several articles and two books: African Economic Institutions and Africa and IMF Conditionality, both published by Routledge Press. Dr. Akonor is from Ghana.
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: UN Peacekeeping in Africa
Book Subtitle: A Critical Examination and Recommendations for Improvement
Authors: Kwame Akonor
Series Title: SpringerBriefs in Criminology
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-39162-5
Publisher: Springer Cham
eBook Packages: Law and Criminology, Law and Criminology (R0)
Copyright Information: The Author(s) 2017
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-319-39160-1Published: 23 November 2016
eBook ISBN: 978-3-319-39162-5Published: 17 November 2016
Series ISSN: 2192-8533
Series E-ISSN: 2192-8541
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XI, 96
Number of Illustrations: 2 b/w illustrations, 2 illustrations in colour
Topics: Criminology and Criminal Justice, general, International Humanitarian Law, Law of Armed Conflict, International Relations