by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, March 3 – How corrupt and decrepit has the UN system become under Antonio Guterres, in this case due to Guterres? Today's example is from the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights, to which Guterres appointed his unqualified crony Volker Turk more than two years ago.
On March 3 in Geneva, Turk pontificated that in today's US, "threats, notably against journalists, risk undermining the work of independent media." Volker Turk is a hypocrite.
OHCHR whistleblowers have forwarded to Inner City Press:
Corrupt OHCHR is in panic mode because of financial crisis. Volker Turk asked 500 million to states but he budgets for 300 as he knows state do not trust him as he continues doing changes without approval from member states.He extends temporary staff for 30 days while appointing Scandinavian cronies for management posts. Critical staff and whistleblowers are in fear of ruthless DHC Nada Al Nashif and corrupt Kim Taylor. Where is the oversight from member states? Where is the duty of care? Where is the accountability for mismanagement of funds last two years?
Dear colleagues,
Ramadan Kareem to everyone celebrating.
I am writing to you at a challenging time....
The US and other traditional donors are signaling reductions, which we need to address. Following discussions in the Senior Executive Team (SET), I have therefore approved an in-principle target XB budget of USD300 million at our last meeting, keeping in mind the proposed work plans of all Divisions, and the identification of priorities for 2025. We agreed on a series of measures, some immediate, some to be implemented throughout the year, to reach the goal of USD300 million.
On the Regular Budget, the highest historical regular budget ever for OHCHR was approved at 235 million for 2025. Due to the serious liquidity situation, however, we will receive a reduced allotment – the actual level of which is yet to be confirmed by the Controller. As of today, there is a temporary hiring freeze in place against regular budget funds. This is intended to control spending and enable us to meet our obligations to staff. Next steps are as follows:
Given reductions in our target XB budget and our RB allotment, we will extend temporary appointments through 30 April 2025, provided the appointment was not as a leave replacement or for a concluding project. Your line managers will confirm this to you.
We will review all postponed and future activities so that we can communicate a realistic set of deliverables to our stakeholders in light of these constraints. I have already begun discussing with the President of the Human Rights Council and will be addressing Member States soon.
Directors are working to ensure that all outputs are aligned with Office priorities and that related staffing plans are completed for financial review by 12 March.
By the end of March, the Office will be able to communicate the results of this assessment.
In the meantime, we will continue to maximize our efforts to raise funds, leaving no stone untouched.
I look forward to our town hall next week,
Warm regards,
Volker Türk
***
Your support means a lot. As little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here to become a patron.
Feedback: Editorial [at] innercitypress.com
