For Immediate Release:

March 24, 2023 

Government Accountability Project Submits Whistleblower Policy Recommendations to United Nations 

 

Washington – Today, Government Accountability Project sent a letter to the United Nations Internal Justice Council (UNIJC) regarding the organization’s lack of whistleblower protections. This letter and its recommendations were requested from the UNIJC Chairperson Dennis Byron to improve the internal system and best practices when it comes to workplace disputes, and the included 62 internal policy recommendations for the United Nations. These recommendations include increased organizational transparency, equal access to legal protections, and anti-gag protections. 

Over the years, Government Accountability Project’s attorneys have represented various whistleblowers across UN agencies, programs, and funds. That is why we have first-hand experience with how the internal justice system works in practice when there are work-related disputes between the Organization and its staff members. 

In regard to the letter, Government Accountability Project’s International Programs Director, Samantha Feinstein, stated about the letter, 

“We are grateful to the IJC for consulting us in the process. We remain concerned that whistleblowers cannot get a fair trial with the internal justice system in place at the UN. We hope to see action on our 62 recommendations for substantial changes to the whistleblower policy and the internal justice system. The oversight and accountability systems at the UN fail at every possible level. UN management’s culture of shooting the messenger has a chilling effect on would-be whistleblowers, and it won’t be long until criminals, unethical employees, and complacent bystanders are the only ones left if things don’t change now.” 

 

Contact: Andrew Harman, Government Accountability Project Communications Director    

Email: [email protected]    

Government Accountability Project    

Government Accountability Project is the nation’s leading whistleblower protection organization. Through litigating whistleblower cases, publicizing concerns and developing legal reforms, Government Accountability Project’s mission is to protect the public interest by promoting government and corporate accountability. Founded in 1977, Government Accountability Project is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C.    

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