by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, June 19 – How corrupt is today's United Nations under Antonio Guterres?
Well, even as Guterres keeps Inner City Press banned from entering the UN to ask questions, covering meeting and confer with the whistleblowers who contact it, the hits just keep on coming.
Like this, on Oscar Taranco Fernandez, whose previous sell-out of Tamils in Sri Lanka's Inner City Press previously reported on:
"Matthew - I understand from colleagues that you try to keep the UN accountable. I have also read some of your stories. Good on you. I am writing to let you know that there are several complaints that have been lodged against ASG Oscar Taranco-Fernandez Director of the Development Cooperation Office of the UN in New York. He works directly under the DSG and closely with the SG. The complaints have come from some member states in Asia and Africa and UN staff and include racism, abuse and harassment.
There have been at least three complaints, both from HQ and the field. One on abuse of authority and harassment related to his bullying autocratic style. His deputy Rosemary Kalapurakal is a highly disgruntled colleague but afraid of him. He has publicly run down his predecessor ASG Robert Piper for financial mismanagement. And another complaint is about racism and discrimination against at least one staff member.
He is also accused of doing the bidding of one donor without following normal procedures. This political bias has been a trait of his from his DPA days. Some of these are being looked at by OIOS. A case file has been opened as I am informed. There maybe other issues I am told that OIOS is looking into it but I am not sure. His close proximity to the higher powers may help to protect him. I am sharing this as a concerned staff member
And due to Guterres' pervasive retaliation, we accord anonymous treatment to UN whistleblowers. OIOS, which did nothing on the abuses connected with the targeting and ouster of Inner City Press, is a joke. But watch this site.
***
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.