Overcoming boys-will-be-boys syndrome: Is prosecution of peacekeepers in the International Criminal Court for trafficking, sexual slavery and related crimes against women a possibility?

Sammanfattning: While the international community would like to think it does not happen crimes are committed by peacekeepers. There is a growing prevalence of the crimes of trafficking, rape, sexual slavery and enforced prostitution being perpetrated by peacekeepers. These are all gender-specific crimes against women. They are also the crimes that most often remain unpunished, especially when committed by peacekeepers. This paper reveals the reality of the occurrences of these crimes, and the impunity being provided to the blue helmet perpetrators by relating events that have occurred on a global scale. It then examines whether, as a solution, peacekeepers can be prosecuted in the International Criminal Court for these crimes. Issues of jurisdiction, immunities, the applicable law, and Rome Statute substantive law definitions are addressed in order to determine whether the ICC is a viable option for the prosecution of peacekeepers for trafficking, rape, sexual slavery and enforced prostitution.