With support from the United States Institute of Peace, GAP has launched a “United Nations jurisprudence and personnel in conflict & post-conflict states” project to investigate the influence of the United Nations’ (UN) internal justice system on the organization’s ability to address corruption and abuse of authority in operations in conflict and post-conflict states. As part of this project, we are seeking to interview current and former applicants, counsel, UN managers, judges and others who have worked within or been affected by the new justice system. We are also interested in speaking with anyone who has witnessed and/or reported concerns related to the UN’s operations in peacekeeping missions, even if that person did not pursue a case in the UN internal justice system.
While our research will focus specifically on the connection between the new justice system and misconduct and whistleblowing in the peacekeeping missions, we are also seeking feedback on the functioning of the justice system more broadly. As part of this project, we are also evaluating the impact of the first two years of United Nations Dispute Tribunal and Appeals Tribunal decisions, and identifying any effects that the internal justice system has had on the Organization’s management practices, especially in the peacekeeping operations.
GAP fully understands the importance of confidentiality and protecting identities. Accordingly, we will keep the identities of any participants in the research confidential. We are planning to focus our studies on trends, not on the specifics of individual cases.
Shelley Walden is International Officer for the Government Accountability Project, the nation’s leading whistleblower protection and advocacy organization.