by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, June 26 – 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 on why: "
Turk dreams of an elected position in Austria. But:
From OHCHR staff: Dear Mr Lee, We are a group of UN staff members in Vienna and we wish to express our joy for the recent resignation of the corrupted and discredited Ghada Waly, the Director General of UNOV/UNODC. She finally took the right decision to leave the UN and free its staff from her presence. Her stepping down has been met with relief also outside Vienna.
When she resigned, she explained that this was for family reasons. Well, it seems that Ghada Waly cannot refrain from lying! Many colleagues understood her resignation to be an escape from the financial crisis that is crippling UNOV/UNODC: therefore, she has been described by many diplomats in Vienna as a rat leaving a sinking ship. We now hear that she may end staying on for a few more months: that will make things ever worse for UNOV/UNODC, which will remain without a real boss for some more months. Staff close to her even report that she wants to spend most of her remaining time in office in her hometown, Cairo, at the expense of the taxpayers of the world. Be it as it may, we believe that the real reason her decision to step down is different. As everybody knows, Ghada Waly has been twice under inquiry by the UN office of investigations, for corruption and harassment, but the Secretary-General, who chose her, has protected her and buried these investigations to avoid another scandal. However, Ghada Waly could not stay away from more illegitimate conducts; in fact, she has secured her appointment as member of the board of directors of the Palm Hills Development, the leading real estate developer in Egypt, as reported by various websites, including the Palm Hills Development one (see this or this). In short, Ghada Waly had to resign before being dismissed for prohibited conduct. A shameful end for a tenure that will be long remembered for the damage made to the reputation and integrity of UNOV/UNODC
Watch this site.
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