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To the Editor:
Anthony Banbury is right. As recent scandals involving sexual abuse in the peacekeeping missions show, the United Nations needs reforming. But he’s wrong to blame a bureaucratic personnel system that prevents managers from firing incompetent staff members.
At the world body, whistle-blowers are summarily dismissed in retaliation for disclosures of misconduct. It’s true that terminated staff members may sue in the tribunal system, but this will cost thousands of dollars and at least three years of adjudication. Even then it is rarely successful.
As a result, staff members keep quiet even when they observe the horrors of sexual abuse in the peacekeeping missions.
BEATRICE EDWARDS
International Program Director
Government Accountability Project
Washington
Author:
Bea Edwards