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| Dealing with abuse at the UN needs more than words | Dealing with abuse at the UN needs more than words |
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| Your article on sexual harassment and abuse at the UN (19 January) is timely. It also shows one aspect, albeit a serious one, of a general culture of harassment and abuse of authority prevalent in our organisation. Secretary-general António Guterres says he wants to tighten procedures to deal with this. However, saying zero tolerance, as his head of management, Jan Beagle, did (Letters, 21 January) is not enough. He needs to fix the policies that amplify the power difference between abusers, both men and women, and their victims. | Your article on sexual harassment and abuse at the UN (19 January) is timely. It also shows one aspect, albeit a serious one, of a general culture of harassment and abuse of authority prevalent in our organisation. Secretary-general António Guterres says he wants to tighten procedures to deal with this. However, saying zero tolerance, as his head of management, Jan Beagle, did (Letters, 21 January) is not enough. He needs to fix the policies that amplify the power difference between abusers, both men and women, and their victims. |
| Senior managers and heads of field offices can make career-changing decisions over the staff they supervise virtually unchecked, while the human resources staff paid to ensure adherence to the rules depend on those same managers for their own careers. This is being made worse by austerity-driven plans to create yet more standalone offices and service centres far from headquarters, staffed with personnel on local-only contracts paid less and with fewer rights than their international counterparts. The UN’s increasing use of short-term contracts and absence of clear downsizing procedures also makes it easier for managers to pick and choose whom to fire. | Senior managers and heads of field offices can make career-changing decisions over the staff they supervise virtually unchecked, while the human resources staff paid to ensure adherence to the rules depend on those same managers for their own careers. This is being made worse by austerity-driven plans to create yet more standalone offices and service centres far from headquarters, staffed with personnel on local-only contracts paid less and with fewer rights than their international counterparts. The UN’s increasing use of short-term contracts and absence of clear downsizing procedures also makes it easier for managers to pick and choose whom to fire. |
| Meanwhile, the UN is mostly run by former ministers and diplomats, many of whom feel protected by their governments from the secretary-general’s efforts to enforce accountability, and prefer globetrotting photo opportunities to the drudgery of managing harassment complaints in their departments. It will take more than a quick fix or rapid response unit to turn around the UN’s culture of harassment. Member governments also have a role to play.Ian RichardsPresident, coordinating committee of international staff unions and associations, United Nations, Geneva | Meanwhile, the UN is mostly run by former ministers and diplomats, many of whom feel protected by their governments from the secretary-general’s efforts to enforce accountability, and prefer globetrotting photo opportunities to the drudgery of managing harassment complaints in their departments. It will take more than a quick fix or rapid response unit to turn around the UN’s culture of harassment. Member governments also have a role to play.Ian RichardsPresident, coordinating committee of international staff unions and associations, United Nations, Geneva |
| • Jan Beagle, under-secretary-general for management of the United Nations, says the UN “does not prevent staff from speaking to the media”. This is not true. I am a UN staff member who was explicitly gagged after making a complaint about the conduct of a senior manager, due to a provision of our code of conduct that staff must always present a positive view of the UN. | • Jan Beagle, under-secretary-general for management of the United Nations, says the UN “does not prevent staff from speaking to the media”. This is not true. I am a UN staff member who was explicitly gagged after making a complaint about the conduct of a senior manager, due to a provision of our code of conduct that staff must always present a positive view of the UN. |
| Beagle claims that the secretary-general has strengthened whistleblower protection for those who report harassment. My own case was the first to be transferred under this “strengthened” policy, which provides a 30-day deadline. I have yet to receive a final decision 18 months after seeking protection. | Beagle claims that the secretary-general has strengthened whistleblower protection for those who report harassment. My own case was the first to be transferred under this “strengthened” policy, which provides a 30-day deadline. I have yet to receive a final decision 18 months after seeking protection. |
| Similarly, the United Nations is supposed to take a prompt decision on whether to investigate complaints of harassment or abuse of authority. I am still waiting 10 months after filing a complaint under that policy. | Similarly, the United Nations is supposed to take a prompt decision on whether to investigate complaints of harassment or abuse of authority. I am still waiting 10 months after filing a complaint under that policy. |
| While I sincerely hope that the sentiments expressed in Ms Beagle’s letter lay out a vision UN management intends to actually achieve, it is deeply irresponsible for UN senior managers to publicly claim that there is currently a policy of zero tolerance against harassment. My experience, which is common to many UN whistleblowers, makes it seem a lot more like there is a policy of zero tolerance against those of us who dare to stand up against rampant abuse of authority. I hope that the system will indeed change, but anyone considering speaking out should have accurate information. The most likely outcome is not accountability for perpetrators, but career-ending reprisals for their victims.Emma ReillyHuman rights officer, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Lausanne, Switzerland | While I sincerely hope that the sentiments expressed in Ms Beagle’s letter lay out a vision UN management intends to actually achieve, it is deeply irresponsible for UN senior managers to publicly claim that there is currently a policy of zero tolerance against harassment. My experience, which is common to many UN whistleblowers, makes it seem a lot more like there is a policy of zero tolerance against those of us who dare to stand up against rampant abuse of authority. I hope that the system will indeed change, but anyone considering speaking out should have accurate information. The most likely outcome is not accountability for perpetrators, but career-ending reprisals for their victims.Emma ReillyHuman rights officer, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Lausanne, Switzerland |
| • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com | • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com |
| • Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters | • Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters |
| • This article was amended on 31 January 2018 to correct the spelling of Emma Reilly’s name in the subheading | • This article was amended on 31 January 2018 to correct the spelling of Emma Reilly’s name in the subheading |
| United Nations | United Nations |
| Women's rights and gender equality | Women's rights and gender equality |
| Sexual harassment | Sexual harassment |
| China | China |
| letters | letters |
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