by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, May 30 – 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 Austrian crony Volker Turk more than two years ago.
Now in Vienna, the head of UNODC is out - staff sent Inner City Press this: " Dear Colleagues, It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to you today to inform you of my decision to step down as your Director-General/Executive Director. I wanted all colleagues to hear this news from me personally before the announcement is made public. Some of you know that I lost my mother a few weeks ago after a long illness, and it remains my great regret that I was not able to spend adequate time with her in her last months. I am dedicated to this Office, to the mission of UNODC and the United Nations, and it is a difficult decision. But I take it with immense conviction that this is the time to reset priorities and personal goals. At this stage in my life, it is crucial for me to spend quality time with my loved ones, focus on taking care of my father and on creating lasting memories with my grandchildren. I have thus submitted my resignation to the Secretary-General who has graciously accepted it. [Fired] I will remain in my position during the transition period and will update you about the timing and arrangements for our Office."
Really? UNODC is expected to be dissolved in December. OHCHR (Austrian - Volker Turk) and personnel are tipped to move into the empty office in the D and E towers of the Vienna International Centre. But UNODC has 100 offices worldwide.
Turk dreams of an elected position in Austria. But:
From OHCHR staff: Dear Mr Lee, The staff in OHCHR is demanding the resignation of High Commissioner Volker Turk, Guterres crony, deputy high commissioner Nada Al Nashif, corrupt chief of administration Kim Taylor and all the senior management. Yesterday Volker Turk called for a townhall to explain the disastrous financial situation blaming the US and Donald Trump when the reality is that OHCHR already had a 60 million USD deficit in January 2025 due to ample mismanagement by HC, DHC and senior management the previous 2 years. Volker Turk gave no answers and Taylor and the new chief of operations, Maarit Kohonen, aggressively attacked staff who dared to ask what the plans are.
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