H.L.C. AMENDMENT IN THE NATURE OF A SUBSTITUTE TO H. CON. RES. 349 OFFERED BY Ms. Ros-LEHTINEN Strike the preamble and insert the following: Whereas the United Nations and organizations engaged in international humanitarian relief periodically receive reports of sexual exploitation of refugees, particularly women and children; Whereas last year a report commissioned by the United Na tions High Commissioner of Refugees and the British organization Save the Children accuses aid workers in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea of refusing to give food and medicine to young girls unless they perform sexual favors; Whereas in response to this report the Secretary General of the United Nations denounced sexual exploitation of refugees and called for a full investigation of the humanitarian staff from the agencies involved; Whereas the charges against aid workers in West Africa are still being investigated and in recent years there have been reports implicating employees of international nongovernmental organizations, government agencies responsible for humanitarian response, and peacekeeping forces in sexual exploitation of refugees; Whereas many of these reports have involved children, some as young as 10 to 12 years of age; Whereas the insufficiency of food rations in refugee camps has been cited as a primary factor contributing to sexual exploitation; H.L.C. 2 Whereas refugees are often extremely poor and cut off from employment and other ordinary means of income, so that they can be highly susceptible to demands that they ex change sex for food to help their families survive: and Whereas the relationship between refugee workers and refu gees is a custodial or caregiving relationship in which the custodian or caregiver can exercise substantial power over the life of the other party, and which carries a corresponding risk of abuse; Now, therefore, be it 5 (2) urges the United Nations to conduct a com 6 prehensive worldwide investigation into the extent, if 7 any, of sexual exploitation of refugees by agents or 15 in refugee situations; and 11 (4) urges the Secretary General, the President, 15 and other agents of the United Nations, of the 20 ugee workers and those entrusted to their care, and 21 to enforce these prohibitions vigorously. Amend the title so as to read: “Concurrent resolution calling for effective measures to end the sexual exploitation of refugees.". Ms. Ros-LEHTINEN. Are there any other amendments? [No response.) Ms. Ros-LEHTINEN. If not, then the question occurs on the amendment in the nature of a substitute. All in favor say, aye. [Chorus of ayes.) Ms. Ros-LEHTINEN. The Chair will not entertain a motion that the bill be reported favorably to the Full Committee, as amended by the amendment in the nature of a substitute. Mr. PITTS. So moved. Ms. Ros-LEHTINEN. Thank you, Mr. Pitts. The question occurs on the motion to report the bill, H. Con. Res. 351, favorably as amended. All in favor say, aye. [Chorus of ayes.) Ms. Ros-LEHTINEN. The motion is approved and the bill is reported favorably. Without objection, the staff is directed to make any technical and conforming amendment. Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD. Madam Chair? Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD. There are two letters: one from the interaction and one from UNHCR that was sent to me, supporting this. May I please submit those for the record? Ms. Ros-LEHTINEN. And we will put that, without objection in the Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD. Yes. Ms. Ros-LEHTINEN [continuing). In the record. Thank you, so much. Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD. Thank you. Ms. Ros-LEHTINEN. And I thank all the Members for coming. Ms. Millender-McDonald, thank you for an excellent opening statement. Ms. MILLENDER-MCDONALD. Thank you. |