KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- Peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are being called on by the United Nations to adhere to international rules governing human rights.

Alan Doss, the U.N. secretary-general's special representative in DR Congo, announced Wednesday a new initiative to strengthen measures to reduce the potential for human rights abuses by U.N. personnel, the United Nations reported.

Doss called on peacekeepers in the region to strictly follow the U.N. Code of Conduct while deployed in the DR Congo.

He also promised to hold talks with a panel of experts, including Congolese and international members, on how the U.N. peacekeeping mission in DR Congo would ensure human rights misconduct does not take place.

Doss called for measures to make sure peacekeepers are held accountable in the event of an abuse incident. The people of DR Congo deserve "the highest standards of conduct from civilian and military peacekeepers alike," Doss said in a statement.