by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, Aug 12 – 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: "Dear Mr Lee The staff in OHCHR says basta to abuse by corrupt senior management. Two weeks ago High Commissioner Volker Turk and his chief of operations Maarit Kohonen, unable to control her anger, openly threatened us “accept relocation or be fired”.
Now on August 12, to the vacationing SG Guterres staff write: "With utmost dismay, we are forced to write to you anonymously due to a prevailing and strengthening culture of authoritarianism, elitism, and vanity under the current High Commissioner for Human Rights and his small group of handpicked staff and managers. We wish to bring to your attention the following disturbing developments and trends within OHCHR. We are under no illusion about your reaction and inaction; as always, you will side with the so-called leadership. You are part of an entirely corrupt HQ elite that cares only for themselves and their senior positions and privileges.. The long-entrenched and corrupt political machine of the Secretary-General, who indulges in political nepotism by rewarding ‘relevant and useful’ states with high-level sinecures. EOSG, the wealthiest and most bloated section of the UN, has grown to absurd proportions under Guterres's watch, with an obscene number of senior positions (over 150) and excessive duplication of functions, most of which are carried out by others. EOSG should be reduced by two or three times, as it is inefficient, ineffective, and arrogantly overbearing. Of course, EOSG has introduced another fake initiative now, UN80, in an attempt to create the illusion of improving the ‘work of the Organization.’
However, this initiative reflects no meaningful change within EOSG itself—just more window-dressing and deception. We are notifying you and will ensure that Member States are made aware as well. Volker Turk is undoubtedly a skilled careerist and a clever bureaucrat, but ultimately nothing more than a bureaucrat. He owes his current position to his proximity to the Secretary-General and his ability to undermine others to rise through the ranks. He believes himself to be superior to anyone who came before him, though he is no match for previous High Commissioners. His sense of entitlement is glaring, and he believes he can act without regard for the office or staff, as some kind of human rights fuhrer from Austria. His unchecked power, constant self focus and growing arrogance are nauseating. While personal traits like these may be expected of flamboyant gay individuals, particularly in positions of authority, his behavior affects everyone—staff and their families alike.
Despite clear decisions from ACABQ and the General Assembly rejecting his push for a so-called "fundamental" reform and significant expansion of the human rights machinery, Turk continues to push for massive restructuring. He is attempting to move the office, create large regional hubs, and expand at any cost—regardless of whether it is necessary or financially feasible. The most absurd example is his plan to create a new regional office in Vienna, Austria, a location completely irrelevant to human rights work. This idea is neither a reform nor a rationalization; it is a wasteful and nonsensical narcissistic proposition. It is clear that OHCHR has functioned well for over 30 years, and this success is not due to Turk. The core functions of the Office are based in Geneva, the world’s humanitarian and human rights hub, where nearly all relevant interlocutors are located.
Turk disregards this reality, ignoring even the General Assembly's resolution that established OHCHR in Geneva, with a liaison office in New York and nothing else. Driven by a bizarre obsession with moving the office, Turk insists that everyone must relocate, even within the same building staff are forced to move offices in idiotic exercise of one’s sick ambitions. His only frame of reference is his work in UNHCR, which focuses on refugees and people on the move. He mistakenly believes that moving people around is synonymous with improving human rights work, despite the financial crisis and complex donor environment.
This obsession with change for the sake of change—appearance over substance—serves no real purpose other than to feed Turk's vanity and give the impression of reform. It diverts attention, resources, and time away from the core mandates of the Office, undermining its ability to maintain its credibility and effectiveness.
The focus should be on strengthening the core functions and securing the sustainability of OHCHR, not investing in new senior positions, redundant services, and unnecessary publicity. Turk’s misguided plan to turn OHCHR into an operational agency is both wrong and destructive. We are not an operational agency; we do not distribute food, water, or shelter. Our core work involves research, monitoring, and providing recommendations to states and other UN partners, primarily from Geneva and New York. The proposed reforms risk dismantling OHCHR, killing the team spirit and will have detrimental effects on the well-being of staff and their families. The current climate within OHCHR is toxic, with staff too afraid to speak out against Turk’s autocratic leadership and the loyalty-driven promotions of senior managers. Transparency is non-existent, despite supposed "town hall" meetings where no questions are answered. Turk plays well a role of a humble leader, deferring all complex and sensitive issues to his deputy and chief of administration, as if he has no involvement in the so-called reforms and painful personnel issues.
This situation stems from the narcissistic vanity of the High Commissioner, who seems utterly detached from the current state of global affairs and the severe financial uncertainties facing the UN. He is attempting to push through changes that are detrimental to the Office and its staff—changes that threaten to destroy the work of the past three decades. Turk must be stopped. He must be held accountable and told to focus on the core mandates of OHCHR and the sustainability of the Office before it is too late. His mandate will end next year, and he should go, as one journalist told him in the face at recent press conference after mikes were switched off, but the consequences of his actions will continue to impact the Office long after he leaves.
Plenty more could be said about all this, his narcissistic personality, obsession with the media and limelight, but it is enough as a condensed brief. You are notified." And nothing.
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