By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, June 16 -- With a second term for Ban Ki-moon stalled in the UN Security Council due to a lack of endorsement by the Latin American and Caribbean states group, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has now partially answered questions about their hiring of Ban's son in law as Chief Diplomatic Officer, including lobbying Ban and the UN.
The IFRC says it doesn't see any need for safeguards, hiring a son in law to lobby his father in law at the UN. They also say the IFRC didn't initially know Siddarth Chatterjee is related to the Secretary General of the UN, until he was “shortlisted” for the Chief Diplomat Officer.
Then they say this close family relationship played no role in selection, and requires no safeguards or recusals. We'll see.
Ban & book; rights communications withheld to keep access
Here are IFRC's response, from its (sole) media relations officer:
Q: At today's UN noon briefing I asked the spokesman for Ban Ki-moon to confirm that Ban's son in law Siddharth Chatterjee has been selected to work for IFRC, on information and belief as chief dipomatic officer, and if there are any safeguards in place regarding lobbying or diplomacy by a relative. On both questions, the UN spokesman said I should “ask IFRC.” So now I am, in writing 1) confirm that Ban's son in law has been selected by IFRC.
Confirmed.
Q2) please state what role his relation to Mr. Ban played in his selection. None.
Q3) Was IFRC aware? The search and short-listing of Mr. Chatterjee was carried out by an independent recruitment company. The IFRC has full trust in the methods and diligence of this company. When Mr. Chatterjee was shortlisted the IFRC became aware of his connection through marriage to the UNSG but this factor played no role whatsoever in Mr. Chatterjee’s final recruitment. Mr. Chatterjee’s professional background has been thoroughly checked and referenced by the independent recruitment company, the outcome of which showed conclusively that Mr. Chatterjee was a highly-accomplished and well qualified candidate for this challenging position at the IFRC. The IFRC will assess Mr. Chatterjee on his performance in his current role and not entertain unsubstantiated rumours which may have followed him from the UN.
Q4) Are there are safeguards in place? Safeguards against what?
Q5) please describe the position of chief diplomatic officer, including all ways it may intersect with the UN system.
The newly adopted Strategy 2020 established Humanitarian Diplomacy as one of the three enabling actions to deliver on the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent’s (IFRC) strategic aims and to strengthen the coherence and impact of our collective voice. According to Strategy 2020, Humanitarian diplomacy is a multi-directional effort that highlights the needs and rights of vulnerable people, whilst striving to give them a strong voice in all negotiation processes. IFRC seeks to prevent and reduce vulnerability by using appropriately the auxiliary role of National Societies in order to achieve greater access to people in need, and by drawing attention to the causes and potential consequences of emerging or re-emerging vulnerability. IFRC promotes the image of the Movement through its worldwide network of informed representatives who can project its work more widely. This is complemented by strong external partnerships and a diversified and expanded resource base.
Under the direction of the Under Secretary for Humanitarian Values & Diplomacy, the Head, International Relations (Chief Diplomatic Officer), will implement the humanitarian diplomacy goals of Strategy 2020. Working with such external actors as opinion leaders, decision-makers, policy-makers, corporate leaders, academics, think-tanks and other stakeholders within governments, international, multilateral, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, civil society groups, regional groupings, professional networks, representative organizations, and other global entities, he/she will leverage the Red Cross/Red Crescents’ collective voice at local, national, regional and global levels.
So -- Ban's son in law with “work with...intergovernmental organizations,” presumably including the UN, to “leverage the Red Cross/Red Crescents’ collective voice.” That's called lobbying, by one close family member of another. No need for safeguards? Watch this site.
