by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, March 18 – How corrupt and decrepit has the UN system become under Antonio Guterres, in this case due to Guterres? Today's example is again from the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights, to which Guterres appointed his unqualified crony Volker Turk more than two years ago.
From OHCHR staff: When Volker Turk appeared before OHCHR staff last week flanked by soulless DHC Nada Al Nashif and dissembling Kim Taylor, we, the staff, knew the dice were cast. Turk said that OHCHR has received only 23% of its annual budget. What does he propose? That staff donate to OHCHR! And to cut the contracts of temporary staff! This is a “management-made crisis”. OHCHR has been wasting un earmarked XB funds in useless positions and activities (6 million in UDHR75, 8 million in an Innovation hub, 12 million in a Human Rights Inquiries Branch, many useless posts working for Al Nashif, many ex OCHA friends brought by Taylor! All the new Scandinavian directors, and a Resource Mobilization section that does not bring funds!). The reality is that for every dollar spent in the field four are spent in Geneva. Is that sustainable? Is that what is expected from the UNHuman Rights? There is no accountability and now they want to fire the temporary staff when the problem are the posts funded with UXB funds. Those should be cut. OHCHR will fire temporary staff under earmarked projects and charged UXB staff against those projects, fraud to the donors, like when the thematic work and Special Procedures files were merged to charge thematic work to SPB earmarked funds, fraud again. No oversight, no accountability. Turk proposed a human rights coalition when the reality is that member states and civil society do not trust him. The reality is that member states do not fund OHCHR because they do not trust Volker Turk, Nada Al Nashif or Kim Taylor. OHCHR needs urgently an audit by member states. The UN needs a credible High Commissioner for Human Rights. Member states must intervene now. After another townhall meeting without solutions OHCHR staff are losing the fear to speak up and to defend our rights. Do not blame member states: this is a management made crisis." This is the UN of Guterres.
***
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
