UN House Abuja
United Nations Staff Union has expressed concern over what it called
the "increasing number of fatal attacks" against the UN, with particular
reference to the recent bomb explosion at its building in Abuja where
11 of its members were killed.
The union, an association representing over 50,000 staff working for the UN, specifically noted the increasing number of fatal attacks against the organisation during Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's tenure.
Making its position known through its president, Ms. Barbara Tavora-Jainchill, the union at a town hall meeting held by Ki-moon on Wednesday, listed a series of attacks directed at UN staff in Afghanistan, Algeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Sudan, with Abuja car bomb explosion being the latest.
It noted that while these had resulted in numerous deaths and serious injuries, perpetrators of such dastardly acts are seldom prosecuted, thereby perpetuating the climate of impunity.
The union, however, insisted that those responsible for the heinous acts must be sought and brought to justice by member states. The union disclosed that leaders of the staff unions and associations of UN common system would be visiting Nigeria in October to discuss ways to further impress on the administration, member states and the world on the need to ensure the security and safety of staff members.
In the joint statement delivered at the town hall, the union said: "In view of the recent events in Abuja, we would like to reiterate to the families of victims as well as survivors our deepest expression of sympathy and solidarity and to seize this opportunity to address matters of security and safety of staff members of the United Nations."
It reminded Ki-Moon that under Article 97 of the UN Charter, as the secretary general, he is the chief administrative officer of the organisation, and his responsibility includes ensuring the overall safety and security of UN personnel at the headquarters locations and in the field, as well as UN premises and assets at headquarters and field locations.
It, however, noted that, "since 11th of December 2007, this, unfortunately, has not been the case, " adding, "If we fail to learn from our mistakes and correct our policies, the tragedies of Abuja and elsewhere are certain to be repeated." While expressing concern over the rising wave of fatal attacks against UN, the union said this shows that ”the organisation is moving in the wrong direction on security."
It noted that staff had always been aware of risks inherent in UN work and that the organisation cannot guarantee their safety, but said what it does not accept is that programmes should take precedence over personnel and that they should be expected work in environments where they frequently face injury or possible death.
The union said: "United Nations staff members are incensed over the lack of accountability of senior officials and the failure of the organisation to provide adequate security. They demand that concrete measures to protect them be taken immediately in order to avoid more such tragic incidents.
"United Nations staff members have a right to expect the leaders of this organisation, and you as chief administrative officer, to urgently address the shortcomings in the security management system and policies. "It cannot be right that our current security management policies accept casualties and deaths as a routine part of programme delivery."
The UN Staff Union – UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Staff Council – is the umbrella body representing staff members of UN Women, UNICEF Global Staff Association, UN Staff Union at Vienna, International Criminal Court Tribunal for the former Yugolavia Staff Union, the Staff Union Committee of the International Labour Organisation, the Coordinating Council of the United Nations Office in Geneva Staff Unions, and associations members of CCISUA, all representing over 50,000 staff in UN common system.
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