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UNITED NATIONS GATE, December 14 – The UN supports and funds AMISOM in Somalia but rarely answers when AMISOM kills people. But this time AMISOM has stepped in it, and the UN should be required to answer the Press, even as corrupt Secretary General bans it for the 162nd day. Our corresponents tell us: "the Ethiopian contingent under AMISOM abducted Mukhtar Robow Ali, former Al Shabab number 2 and candidate to Southwest state of Somalia. The amisom handed over to Somalia federal government who was not happy to his candidacy. As result people took to the street and at least 10 people was killed by Ethiopian/Amisom.  Amisom works under U.N. Peacekeeping framework (outsourced project) and is funded by EU and US. Somalia police participated the killing is under the payroll of UNDP.  Hours past still no words from UN bosses [because they are corrupt]. The city is preparing to more riot and conflict.  Robow is no longer under U.N. or International sanctions and recently met the U.N. envoy however the government of Somalia is exploiting the weaknesses of Amisom through corruption to the highest officials.  Dozen Somali federal MPs accused the Amisom envoy as taking sides and may have benefited financially from the government." On December 14 banned Inner City Press in writing asked the UN, before a noon briefing it was banned from and in which no one allowed in asked any question about anything in Africa, much less Somalia, asked "December 14-3:  On Somalia, what is the SG's comment and action on the deadly violence triggered by the arrest of Mukhtar Robow while seeking the presidency of South West state in next week's election? Separately, what role including logistical support did the UN play?" At 2:40 pm deputy UN Spokesman Farhan Haq responded, "Regarding question December 14-3, we can say the following: Together with international partners, we underscore the importance of respecting the electoral process and the rule of law. We do not endorse or reject individual candidates.
We are concerned about developments in South West State. We deplore all violence and any other acts that could exacerbate the humanitarian situation.
We underscore our support for the agreed framework governing the elections, and urge all parties to respect the integrity of the electoral process. We encourage constructive dialogue to resolve political differences in order to advance the political and economic progress of the country." We'll have more on this. In November the UN Secretariat merely passed the buck through its spokesmen when banned Inner City Press asked about "peacekeepers" from Burundi supported by the UN killed at least four civilians in Somalia. Here was the second question, from Inner City Press which after covering the UN from inside for 10 years has been banned by SG Antonio Guterres for 132 days and counting: "November 12-3: On the Burundian troops shooting civilians in Somalia, while all your office answered was to look at AMISOM's press release, Inner City Press' question is how this is impact the UN continuing to take/pay Burundi soldiers as UN Peacekeepers, or if at a minimum those involved in the Somalia reprisals will be barred from UN “service,” given that “Burundian troops serving under the African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) are alleged to have opened fire on four civilians on Tuesday after their convoy was targeted by a roadside bomb. Three of the men died at the scene, while the fourth died later in hospital. Witnesses interviewed by Amnesty International reported that the troops drove over an improvised explosive device that detonated as they travelled through a district in the north of Mogadishu. In response, the troops are alleged to have exited their vehicles and “arbitrarily shot” the four men, who were named as Ali Shire Ugas, Hassan Yusuf Siyad, Qasim Dahir Khayre and Ahmed Mohamud Basey. Three of the men were lorry drivers, while Basey was a tuk-tuk driver." To this, on November 13, the UN answered: "On question Nov. 12-3, we are aware that AMISOM is conducting an investigation into the incident.  UNSOM has shared relevant information with AMISOM as it proceeds with its investigation." What information? Why keep deploying these troops? Back on "November 7-4: On Somalia (and Burundi) what is the SG's comment and action on that “African Union soldiers in Somalia have been accused of killing four civilians in the capital, Mogadishu. Witnesses say the soldiers opened fire on locals when their convoy was hit by a roadside bomb. The incident happened in the Huriwa district in the north of the city.On its Twitter account, the African Union mission said its convoy had come across explosions but made no mention of the shooting, alleged to have involved Burundian troops”? Hours later, the UN told Inner City Press only that AMISOM had a statement. But that wasn't the question - it was passing the buck regarding killings by force the UN Secretariat supports. Here is today's UN Security Council statement: "The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attacks of 9 November 2018, which killed and injured innocent Somalis.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the people and Government of Somalia.  The members of the Security Council wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

The members of the Security Council commended the swift response of Somalia’s security and first responders.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Government of Somalia and all other relevant authorities in this regard.

The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist attacks.

The members of the Security Council paid tribute to all Somali and international actors working to bring peace and stability in Somalia.  The members of the Security Council reiterated their determination to support peace, stability and development in Somalia.  They underlined that neither this nor any other terrorist attack would weaken that determination." UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq has not answereed a single one of Inner City Press' dozen questions submitted on November 8 and 9. Inner City Press on July 5 was banned from entering the UN, the day after it filed a criminal complaint against UN Security for physically removing it from covering the meeting about the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres' $6.7 billion peacekeeping budget, as witnessed and essentially cheered on by senior UN official Christian Saunders, tearing its reporter's shirt, painfully and intentionally twisting his arm and slamming shut and damaging his laptop. On August 17, Guterres' Global Communicator Alison Smale issued a letter banning Inner City Press from the UN - for life. With no due process. She and Guterres have put the UN in the US Press Freedom Tracker, here. Smale said, again, that the UN would answer Press questions to the Spokesman Stephane Dujarric and his Office. On November 9 before a short briefing in which Deputy Spokesman Haq was asked nothing about Cameroon or Burundi or the UN budget, Inner City Press submitted 189 questions including "There are more than 100+ questions UNanswered. And Monday Sept 17, Tuesday Sept 18, Wed Sept 19 and  Thurs and Fri Sept 21, that whole week, no questions answered. Nor Sept 25, nor 28th - nor October 2 nor 3. While appreciating and using what was sent earlier from FAO - we still await the requested view of the SG on FAO's performance on MeToo -- no answers to the other questions, nothing at all Oct 23 to 5 new questions, others UNanswered, no SEA answer on Oct 10. Nothing on Oct 11 nor Oct 12. Nothing Oct 25 nor on October 26. Nothing on Nov. 2. Nothing on Nov. 8. This ban is just censorship - and Inner City Press must be allowed back into the noon briefing to ask its questions in person and follow up on them.

November 9-1: On Cameroon, the SG purported to call for an investigation of the killing of US missionary Charles Wesco. Given that journalist Mimi Mefo Takambou has now been jailed for reporting that the killing was by Cameroon soldiers, (1) what is the UN's understanding of who killed Wesco and, separately of the status of any investigation, and (2) what is the SG's comment and action on the Cameroon government jailing Mimi Mefo?

November 9-2: Again on the UN Police from Ghana you have not answered on: Now “Ambrose Dery, responding to questions on the floor of Parliament said the investigative report will be ready by the end of this year. 'It is a work in progress until it is completed; we will make it available to the citizens of Ghana. The investigations will tell us who is responsible and if we find any culpable, they will go through due process, and appropriate sanctions taken, but for now, they remain personnel of the Ghana Police'” - so there has been no disclipine? Will OIOS's report be made public? What is the status of OIOS inquiry into DPA / website / DSS Dobbins and DSS's own response to the formal complaint of abuse by Dobbins and UNnamed others?

November 9-3: As asked in November 8-2 and now further specified: I am informed that the SG's spokesman has selectively contacted some of those (from Europe) raising questions about the UN 3 July 2018 Press ouster and ban since and claimed among other things that Inner City Press improperly filmed on the 4th floor... Since MALU told me I could film on the 4th floor without an escort or minder, this is a request that you immediately provide the information requested yesterday and the specifics of the incidents the Spokesman has referred to, and that you state in what capacity Antonio Guterres' spokesman undertook these communications.  this is a formal request that Inner City Press be allowed - escorted if you see fit - to enter to attend and ask question at the noon briefing on, for example, Sri Lanka, Burundi and the UN Budget, which the Spokesman purports to respect my right to do. There is no allegation that at any noon briefing I caused any of the Spokesman's unnamed sources to feel “unsafe.” Ironically, I was covering the Budget Committee when I was roughed up by UN Security on July 3. For re-entry to noon briefing, my application to MALU in early September was never acted on - MALU is being cc-ed here - and should now be approved and access restored in light of the contents of the Spokesman's communications. [Remainder of question redacted for now.]

November 9-4: On Burundi, what is the SG's comment and action on that Burundian authorities have refused to register the new political party by opposition leader Agathon Rwasa... Rwasa had attempted to create a new party, the National Freedom Front - Hope of the Burundians (FNL - Amizero y’Abarundi), after the new constitution adopted by referendum in May which no longer allows a coalition of independent candidates to run in an election?

November 9-5: On the Fifth Committee, since today is was said Paul Dooley is running the Pension Fund, what was the dispostion and action taken on OIOS ID Case No. 0543/05. And, again, where is OIOS' Heidi Mendoza?

November 9-6: On Sri Lanka, now that President Sirisena has pushed back the promised reconvening of parliament to Nov 14 after sacking the PM, does the SG join or not join the calls that he immediately reconvene parliament? What is the UN doing?

November 8-1: On Cameroon, what is the SG's comment and action on the jailing of Equinoxe TV journalist Mimi Mefo Takambou for having reported that US missionary Charles Wesco was shot and killed by “Cameroon soldiers”?

November 8-2: I am informed that the SG's spokesman has selectively contacted those (from Europe) raising questions about the UN 3 July 2018 Press ouster and ban since, including stating that unnamed UN staff members or officials demand a lifetime ban in order to feel “safe.” Given the lack of due process, please name which officials or safe claim to feel unsafe in order to justify censorship, and the basis for your claims. Also, again, answer UNSR David Kaye's and others' question: what is the appeals process for a unilateral no due process physical ouster and banning by the UN of a journalist?

November 8-3: On Guinea-Conakry, what is the SG's comment and action on that “In Guinea's capital, Conakry, two more opposition supporters have been killed by soldiers, eyewitnesses say. This brings the number of opposition supporters killed in demonstrations and other political actions to 100 this year”?

November 8-4: On Western Sahara, what is the SG's comment and action, and separately that of his Personal Envoy Horst Kohler, at the “business” conference last week regarding which Polisario have in an open letter to the SG called an example of Morocco's "hostile expansionist policy”? Also, please explain why USG Pollard is in Morocco, how long she has been there and at what cost? This close to the Migration Meeting, what is the need for a USG rather than technical team to be there? Is taking Morocco's money for this a conflict of interest given the UN's purported role in holding a referendum on Western Sahara independence?

November 8-5: It appears that the “UN Alliance of Civilizations” is sponsoring an award at an event the SG is slated to attend on December 5. Please state whether any UN money is being used to sponsor this award, and what safeguards are in place such that access to or photos with the SG are not exchanged for money as presumptively took place with regard to now incarcerated UN briber Ng Lap Seng.

November 8-6: On Kenya, what is the comment and action of the SG, and separately of his Resident Coordinator, to that “The Kenyan police have killed 24 people in the past three weeks in Nairobi County wards of Dandora, Kayole, Mathare and Majengo, local based human rights organisations have said. Social Justice Centre and Police Reform Working Group raised a red flag over the rising cases of extrajudicial executions in informal settlements and called on the government to act swiftly and stop the killings”?

November 8-7: Given the SG's claim of accountability for sexual exploitation by UN Police from Ghana in South Sudan, please immediately provide his comment and action on this contradictory report from Ghana: “Government says it is yet to conclude its investigations into the case of some Ghanaian police peacekeepers indicted by the United Nations for sexual misconduct in South Sudan last year. Though the Police Administration in May this year said investigations by the IGP’s three-man investigative team had concluded its work, the Interior Minister Ambrose Dery claimed in Parliament Thursday the team was yet to finish with the investigations. Director General of the Police Intelligence and Professional Standards, COP Kofi Boakye who said in May the investigations had ended, noted that the Police was awaiting the results of the UN investigators to “compare notes in order to have a compete and comprehensive report”. But when summoned by Parliament to brief members of the House what have been the results of the investigations, Mr. Dery said the investigations are expected to end by the end of November 2018, nine months on. Some MPs wanted to know if the sexual exploitation incident had affected Ghana’s participation UN in peacekeeping but the minister responded in the negative, noted even after that incident some troops were deployed for peacekeeping. Mr. Dery said some of those police officers who were withdrawn from South Sudan over the alleged sex exploitation and abuse have been interdicted while others are still at post.”

November 7-1: On Gabon, what is the SG's / UN's knowledge of and comment / action on the disappearance of Ali Bongo for two weeks, and the declaration by Jean Ping, in the light of controversies in the 2016 electoral process, that he is president?

November 7-2: On Sri Lanka, now that President Sirisena has pushed back the promised reconvening of parliament to Nov 14 after sacking the PM, does the SG join or not join the calls that he immediately reconvene parliament? What is the UN doing?

November 7-3: Given the SG's many statements about “zero tolerance” in his UN system for sexual harassment, and given the detailed reporting on just such harassment by FAO human resources chief Fernando Servan, will the SG be addressing this with the FAO DG during the current Chief Executive Board meeting? Please immediately provide a list of attendees in person of the CEB meeting, and of the costs. [Hours later, only the self-serving statement of FAO, here.]

November 7-4: On Somalia (and Burundi) what is the SG's comment and action on that “African Union soldiers in Somalia have been accused of killing four civilians in the capital, Mogadishu. Witnesses say the soldiers opened fire on locals when their convoy was hit by a roadside bomb. The incident happened in the Huriwa district in the north of the city.On its Twitter account, the African Union mission said its convoy had come across explosions but made no mention of the shooting, alleged to have involved Burundian troops”? [Hours later, the UN told Inner City Press "Regarding Somalia, AMISOM has put out a statement on this case" - that is, passing the buck regarding killings by force the UN Secretariat supports.]

November 7-5: On Cambodia, has the UN system been denied access to meet with Kem Sokha, leader of the banned opposition, including but not limited to access denied to UN Special Rapporteur Rhonda Smith? What is the SG's comment and action, if any, on this? Again, why has the SG's USG Smale not answer UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Information David Kaye's July 20 question about what the appeals process for a banned journalist is? How can, for example, the Green Climate Fund have a review / accountability process and the SG's Secretariat have none?

November 6-1: On Cameroon, first please immediately now five days after ASG Ursula Mueller's Nov 1 presentation (at the Norway Mission) about Cameroon provide a copy or summary of her remarks.

November 6-2: In further connection with the SG's speech yesterday in Lisbon, please immediately confirm or deny that on this trip the SG took, beyond the staffer named yesterday, two UN Security officers; state how much this cost this time and the 15 previous times, including air fare and lodging. This is public money.

November 6-3: On Uganda, what is the SG's comment and action on that “Police in Uganda will decide today whether to charge Ugandan academic and feminist activist, Stella Nyanzi, with crimes concerning an "offensive" post on Facebook. She made offensive statements against President Yoweri Museveni and his late mother, Vincent Ssekatte, the spokesperson for the police's Criminal Investigations Department said. Her lawyers, however, say that they have not been officially informed of the charges she’s facing”?

November 6-4: On UN system sexual harassment, what is the SG's comment and action on the involuntary kissing of an FAO staffer by Peruvian human resources official reported in The Italian Insider, and on FAO / official suing Italian Insider?

November 6-5: On UN sexual exploitation and abuse, yesterday you said “Vannina in my office has more information.” But all I was sent was the script / note that was read out, nothing additional. So what was the additional information you said on camera was in your office? Please immediately provide it - including figures for civilian personnel, partners, and personnel of UNSC authorized operation (not, it seems, on the Conduct and Discipline website).

November 6-6: On Nigeria, please immediately confirm receipt of the letter to the SG quoted below and separately state what role the DSG will play in making decisions on these issues: “An advocacy group, Access to Justice (A2J) and the Network on Police Reforms in Nigeria (NOPRIN) yesterday requested the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, to visit Nigeria, saying the nation’s human rights and security situation may jeopardise 2019 elections. The groups also accused the Federal Government of Nigeria of failing to hold military officials accountable for the atrocities allegedly committed.“This failure has emboldened the military, amplified the culture of impunity within it, and ostensibly encouraged the military to expand and deepen its violent crackdown against members of the IMN,” they said. The groups, in their letter to the UN Secretary-General, reminded him that Boko Haram was once a “fringe, low-lying religious group in Nigeria that subsequently radicalized into a violent terror group after a rash of summary and extra-judicial killings of their leaders and members by government law enforcement and security groups.”

[Nov 5-1a submitted mid-briefing: This is a request to immediately be emailed the UN sexual exploitation and abuse data rattled off in the noon briefing Inner City Press remains banned from, and reiterates UNSR David Kaye's 20 July 2018 question what is the appeals process for this ban, still not answered.]

November 5-1: Please state the cost to the UN budget of the SG's current trip to Lisbon, deny or confirm that staffer Aguinaldo Baptista has also traveled there and if so the cost and rationale for that, Web Summit (?) or CPLP, and what the benefit to the UN and public is of travel to receive this CPLP award. What other UN staff and security went, for how long, and how much has it cost the public?

November 5-2: On Cameroon, what is the SG's comment and action on the corruption and waste by Paul Biya reported in today's Wall Street Journal, including paying in cash to rent out the whole 16th floor of the Hotel Inter-continental in Geneva for months on end: “Blinds were drawn at a back office of the Intercontinental Hotel one day last year, as a man known to staff as The General emptied a white cloth bag stuffed with euros. It was time to pay for one of the world's longest-serving leaders. For weeks, several former hotel employees recalled, the five-star hotel had been locked in a secret routine serving its best two customers, the first couple of an impoverished oil-exporting Central African country. Paul Biya, president of Cameroon since 1982, and his wife, Chantal, clock so much time on private visits to Switzerland that staff in the Intercontinental's gilded corridors refer to them by simple code names: Him and Her”? Again, has the SG conveyed any congratulations to Biya on his “election,” by letter or otherwise?

November 5-3: On Sri Lanka, the Sirisena government has said "President Maithripala Sirisena has conveyed to the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres that the appointment of Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Prime Minister was in keeping with the Constitution, the supreme law of the country, Government spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said..“I had a very successful telephone conversation with the UN Secretary General António Guterres last evening. I assured him that the appointment of the new Prime Minister has been done in keeping with the Constitution of Sri Lanka,” President Sirisena” said. Was the SG's pre-Lisbon call “successful” as President Sirisena puts it? What if anything has the SG done on the issue during his days in Lisbon?

November 5-4: Again, since no responses at all on Nov 2, the others and on UN waste this: November 2-2: Again, as asked Oct 30, please immediately explain the outcome of the inquiry into “double dipping” at UNDP Inner City Press previously asked you about and you said you would have an answer about, and explain how one of the 14 double dippers named by whistleblowers has been named the UN resident coordinator in the UAE - and explain if the appointment is modified by this:
"From: Achim Steiner
Sent: Thursday, November 1, 2018 4:57 PM
To:
Subject: Arrangements for RC/RRs
Dear Colleagues,
Further to the announcement of newly appointed UN Resident Coordinators and UNDP Resident Representatives, please note that as of 1 January 2019, following the de-linking of the functions of the UN Resident Coordinator and those of the UNDP Resident Representative as mandated by General Assembly resolution 72/279, Ms. Marina Walter and Ms. Nathalie Ndongo-Seh will continue serving as UN Resident Coordinators, whereas Ms. Louisa Vinton will continue to serve as UNDP Resident Representative. Kind regards."

November 2-1: What is the SG's comment and action on that “Tanzanian opposition party leader Zitto Kabwe has been charged with sedition - or inciting people to rebel against authority... He has been detained without charge for speaking out against recent killings in his constituency. He alleges that more than 100 people were killed in a confrontation with police in Kigoma, western Tanzania, while police say four were killed”?

November 2-3: On Egypt, what is the SG's command action on that “Those arrested included Huda Abdelmonem, a prominent lawyer and a former member of the National Council for Human Rights, a government-backed watchdog. Members of Ms. Abdelmonem’s family published images of her apartment in the aftermath of the raid, with papers, books, furniture and personal items strewn about, suggesting a violent search by security forces. The whereabouts of the 19 people arrested Thursday are currently unknown, according to human-rights groups monitoring the case. Others arrested this week include members of the Egyptian Coordination for Human Rights, a group whose work has been widely cited by established international media and by Human Rights Watch. The group’s director, Ezzat Ghonim, is being held in secret detention by the security forces... This week, Egyptian authorities moved to implement a restrictive new law on the media, demanding that news websites register with the government or face closure”?

November 2-4: On Morocco, what is the SG's comment and action, if any, on that the “Moroccan Association of Human Rights (AMDH), in a report covering 2017 and part of this year, deplored "the repression of several social movements", especially the Hirak protest group in the marginalised Rif region of northern Morocco.The total number of people detained or on wanted lists because of "critical opinions" or "activities within protest movements" in the Rif and other regions has risen to over 1,020”?

November 2-5: Please explain why, for a statement by the SG on one country, you canceled the UN noon briefing on all other countries, and on the performance of the UN and SG?

November 1-3: On Nigeria, what is the SG's and separately DSG's comment and action, including any call for investigation, on the authorities' use of live fire against peaceful protesters about the 34 month detention of Ibraheem Zakzaky?Same questions on the death and dumping in a well of General Idris Alkali.

November 1-2: On Libya, what is the comment and action of the SG and separately Mr Saleme to that “Prosecutors are investigating whether Belgian banks paid out interest and dividends on accounts frozen under United Nations sanctions during the collapse of Muammar Gaddafi’s Libyan dictatorship... BNP Paribas Fortis held €43 million, while ING, KBC and Euroclear Bank held €376 million, €869 million and €12.8 billion respectively in Libyan assets. According to RTBF, interest and dividends of between three and five billion euros had left the accounts since 2012 despite the UN freezing the assets”?

November 1-3: Again, as asked yesterday, immediately explain the basis on which SG Guterres' Security tried to get Park East Synagogue head of security Shay Amir to have Inner City Press removed from his speech about tolerance.

November 1-4: On Cambodia (and Mali), what is the SG's response to “Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday appealed to the United Nations to pay more attention to the security of Cambodian peacekeepers in Mali in the wake of Saturday’s attack on troops”? What is the relationship between Cambodia's increasing deployments in UN Peacekeeping and the SG's statements, such as they are, regarding the shrinking of political space under Hun Sen?
October 31-1: Immediately explain the basis on which SG Guterres' Security tried to get Park East Synagogue head of security Shay Amir to have Inner City Press removed from his speech about tolerance.

October 31-2: AGAIN, as asked yesterday, On Cameroon please immediately state if UN is aware of missionary Charles Wesco hbeingkilled by the Army in Bambui in the NW region and what if anything the UN is doing about it. I have more questions, beyond the many unanswered below, but these two must be answered.

October 31-3: On Sudan, what is the SG's comment and action on that “Sudanese security service detained and tortured a priest and 8 people from Darfur region forcing the latter to revert to Islam after their conversion to Christianity, said a Sudanese rights group. In a statement released on Tuesday, the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS) called to abolish the crime of apostasy which is punishable by death under Sudanese Islamic penal law in contradiction with the constitution of 2005 which guarantees the religious freedom”?

October 30-1: On Cameroon please immediately state if UN is aware of reports a missionary has been killed by the Army in Bambui in the NW region and what if anything the UN is doing about it. [Inner City Press got confirmation from the US State Department - DURING the UN briefing it is banned from.]

October 30-3: Also on resident coordinators, please immediately explain the outcome of the inquiry into “double dipping” at UNDP Inner City Press previously asked you about and you said you would have an answer about, and explain how one of th 14 double dippers named by whistleblowers has just been named the UN resident coordinator in the UAE.

October 30-4: On Equatorial Guinea, what is the SG's comment and action on that “Activists in Equatorial Guinea alleged on Monday that plainclothes security forces snatched and beat up the head of their human rights and development organization at the weekend. Alfredo Okenve was "sequestered... (and) mistreated by security forces wearing civilian clothes," the Centre for Studies and Initiatives for the Development of Equatorial Guinea said in a statement.” Also, is the resident coordinator in Equatorial Guinea still the spouse of Cheikh Gadio, now cooperating with the prosecution in the US v. Ho bribery case involving ex PGA Kutesa?

October 30-5: On Uganda and refugees and the UN system, what is the SG's comment and action on that “An audit of refugee numbers in Uganda has revealed that there are 300,000 ghost refugees.The joint investigation by the government and the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, showed that Uganda hosts only 1.1 million refugees. The probe followed allegations that officials were defrauding donors by inflating refugee numbers and diverting food aid. “In total, close to 1.1 million refugees were verified and biometrically enrolled from the target population of 1.4 million refugees'”?

October 29-3: On Cameroon, what is the SG's comment and action on the government's arrests of peaceful protesters in Douala, Yaounde and elsewhere over the weekend?

October 29-4: USG Smale, in her response to Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression David Kaye, told him that my formal complaint(s) are still being processed. Since I saw Lt Dobbins last week while I was being barred from an event I was invited to, and told that the basis of this banning is a list that the UN will not make public and is telling NYPD not to release information about, please immediately state the status of that processing of complaint(s). SR Kaye specifically asked what is the appeals process for me. USG Smale, after 60 days, did not answer. What IS the appeals process, a basic requirement of due process?

October 29-5: In Somalia, what is the UN's knowledge of the reported killing of 30 AMISOM troops near Beledweyne? [UN refuses to answer, despite its support to AMISOM and presence in the country, tells Inner City Press after the briefing, "Question 29-5 should go to AMISOM itself."]

October 29-6: In the context of the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, and the killing of civilians in Yemen, please immediate state the status of UN system partnership and arrangements with MBS' Misk Foundation and affiliates and any steps taken to review these. [UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq emailed Inner City Press after the briefing, "On question 29-6, the office of the Youth Envoy has a relationship with the MiSK Foundation that is governed by a memorandum of understanding." But is that public?]

October 26-1: On UN peacekeeping, this morning when Inner City Press across 1st Av from the UN asked Emilie Katondolo of the DRC's Young Women for Peace and Leadership about MONUSCO, she said the UN must do more to protect civilians, giving Beni as an example. On deadline, what IS the UN doing? Also, from South Sudan Susan Kyunon Sebit William told Inner City Press that UNMISS does not sufficiently protect civilians, particularly women, citing Terrain Hotel etc. What IS the UN doing? What did it learn?

October 26-2: On Sri Lanka, what is the SG's comment and action on the fact that Tamil journalist Uthayarasa Shalin is being harassed on entirely spurious grounds in Jaffna, where he reports for the Tamil Guardian and Valampuri, ever since he was summoned for questioning at TID headquarters in Colombo on August 22. Ever since then, Shalin has been the target of constant harassment by the police in Jaffna that has included arrests and insults. The acts of intimidation have increased this month, with five of his friends and relatives being summoned for interrogation by the TID, including his brother Jelsin on 17 October.

October 26-3: USG Smale, in her just-released response to Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression David Kaye, told him that my formal complaint(s) are still being processed. Since I saw Lt Dobbins this week, please immediately state the status of that processing of complaint(s). SR Kaye specifically asked what is the appeals process for me. USG Smale, after 60 days, did not answer. What IS the appeals process, a basic requirement of due process?

October 26-4: Please immediately provide a read out of the SG's meeting yesterday with Sweden's Margot Wallstrom - and why it was on the second floor.

October 26-5: Please explain how “UN Person of the Year” are decided on and awarded, for example this week in Kenya by the Resident Coordinator and Monica Juma: “World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge has been named UN Person of the Year. Kipchoge was awarded by the United Nations office in Nairobi on Wednesday by Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma. He was awarded for his extraordinary performances, his work on HIV/AIDS in Kenya, and his endurance and courage.”

October 25-1: As you surely know, UN staff are publicly complaining of waste by the head of ECA, including travel waste. What is this SG's comment and action on this?

October 25-2: In terms of conflict prevention, what is the SG's comment and action on that Mozambique's main opposition party, Renamo, said Wednesday that peace talks with the government were on hold due its allegations of fraud in this month's local elections?

October 25-3: THe UN Volunteer charged with rape in DRC, what is their nationality and why has it not to date been disclosed?

October 25-4: Beyond the unanswer questions on Cameroon etc below, what is the SG's comment and action on that « Je crois que ces résultats ne relatent pas vraiment la réalité de fait, explique Monseigneur Samuel Kleda, interrogé par RFI. Ces résultats ne me semblent pas corrects, ne sont pas corrects du tout» Le président de la Conférence épiscopale s'appuie sur des exemples précis. « Je donne seulement des exemples : dans le grand Nord, où le parti au pouvoir a remporté 89 %, c’est là où il y a le plus de difficultés, où il y a plus de misère, où les gens sont obligés quelquefois d’immigrer, où des jeunes ont rejoint le groupe Boko Haram, il est difficile que là-bas on obtienne ce pourcentage-là. Ces chiffres qu’on nous présente aujourd’hui sont-ils seulement fiables ? »

October 25-5: On the “internal document” barred an undefined number of people including according to UN Security “political activist,” is there a single UN system wide list? Separate lists for NYC, Geneva, Vienna, Naibori? How does this list comply with due process, including human rights decisions in Europe and elswhere?

October 25-6: Regarding UN DSS Inspector Matthew Sullivan saying he/the UN spoke with NYPD, presumably about Inner City Press' FOIL request about the barred list, how is it consistent with transparency to discourage a host country agency to disclose information to its own citizens? Also on Inspector Sullivan, what is the SG's comment and action on his tweets including calling Senator Elizabeth Warren “Jokeahontas” with regard to her heritage and state the Lead Spokesman's knowledge and position on this: https://twitter.com/Matthew68627709/status/1052500443442622464

October 25-7: Now 24 hours later, with which Congressmember and who else did the SG meet in Washington, and which foundation's dinner did he attend on the evening of October 23?

October 24-1: On Cameroon, beyond the unanswered questions below, what is the SG's comment and action on the arrest of journalist Michele Biem Tong? In terms of corruption and the credibility of the Oct 7 election, what is the SG's comment and action on “Cameroon’s government has issued a public tender for the construction of a new residence for the president of the Constitutional Council, the same legal body that just two days ago announced the re-election of long-time President Paul Biya”?

October 24-2: Please explain how the UN's so-called “barred list” can, as Inspector Sullivan told me today, be considered an “internal document” even to those who have been put on it without due process, and please also immediately describe the UN's contacts to discourage responses to Inner City Press' Freedom of Information requests, to NYPD and elsewhere. Additionally, please today state what was ever done regarding Inspector Sullivan's involvement in for profit events in the UN, and regarding my formal complaint to USG Drennan regarding assault and harassment by Lt Dobbins and others UNnamed.

October 24-3: On sexual exploitation and abuse and the new rape charges against the UNV in MONUSCO put online an hour ago, please now provide all further if-asked information about these abuses, as for example you did when asked in person by those not banned from the briefing about the Nigerian peacekeeper(s).

October 24-3: On Burundi, what is the SG's knowledge of, comment and action on that A final round of peace talks to end a political crisis in Burundi has been postponed until Thursday after the government said it would not attend?

October 24-5: On Egypt, what is the SG's comment and action on that the goverment has arrested an economist and his publisher over a book that challenged President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi’s economic policies, a lawyer said Tuesday, the latest in a wave of detentions in recent years targeting all forms of dissent?

October 23-1: On Cameroon, does the SG agree that there were “irregularities in the re-election” of Paul Biya? Again, what is his comment on the government's false claim that Transparency International observed the election? Does he think the reported turn-out and results in the Anglophone regions are credible? Where IS Francois Fall? When is the last time he was in Cameroon?

October 23-2: It is reported that the UN is blaming its continued lack of any Freedom of Information Act procedure on supposed management reforms. What is the connection? What is the hold up? And for example, how many times has the SG visited Lisbon since January 1, 2017 and how much, including in Security costs, has it cost the UN / the public?

October 23-3: On Nigeria, what is the SG's and separately Deputy SG's comments and actions on reports that in Plateau State “residents are witnessing planned genocide to wipe out an entire community for a perceived offense. Addressing journalists yesterday in Jos, the president, Mr. Arome Okwori, accused government and elders of the state of conspiracy of silence. He asked the military to release those locals around the pond who were arrested in the course of their search-and-rescue operation, or risk legal action from CLASFON. This was coming after the Association of Middle Belt Ethnic Nationalities (ASOMBEN) had condemned alleged occupation by the military of Dura Du community of Jos South Council while searching for Maj.-Gen. Idris Alkali”?

October 23-4: What is the SG's comment and action on the police in Guinea - Conakry using tear gas on protesting students?

October 23-5: On Egypt, What is the SG's comment and action on that Egypt's Supreme Council for Media Regulation has announced that news websites and other media outlets operating in the country must apply for work licenses?

October 22-1: On Cameroon, what is the SG's comment and action on ... the surrounding of Kah Walla's house by police, the slowing / shut off of Facebook and WhatsApp, etc? What is his comment on Obiang of Equatorial Guinea having congratulated Biya on re-election 2 days before the results?

October 22-2: In light of the killing of Jamal Khashoggi and recent news, what is the status of the UN's “youth” agreement signed in Sept 2018 with MBS's Misk Foundation? Will it continue unchanged? What is the status of McKinsey, which identified MBS critics online, and of Siemens in the UN Global Compact?

October 22-3: For the Dubai event the DSG is at, how did the UN hire its media contact? Was it a competitive process? How? How much is spend on this? (to expedite your answer on this use of public funds: “Media contacts: For the UN (in Dubai 19-24 Oct): Pragati Pascale | E: pragati.pascale [at] gmail.com”

October 22-4: Now that USUN has formally complained about their event in ECOSOC, what is the SG's and DSS' response, as related to the “current and active barred notice” you have previously refused to answer about despite using (to censor)?

October 19-1: On Cameroon, beyond the UNanswered questions below, what is the SG's comment and action on the Constitutional Council rejecting the petition that what voting there was in the North-West and South-West regions was undermined by insecurity and fraud? What is the SG's response to Joshua Osih saying it will be a form of “apartheid” if the president were to be voted in without the meaningful participation of the Anglophone parts of the country.? Does the SG agree with others in the international community that, at a minimum, ELECAM whose strategic communications the UN supports should release the results polling site by polling site to attempt to address doubts in the NW and SW regions?

October 19-2: On DRC, what is the SG's comment and action on that the lone female candidate in the presidential race on Thursday has accused the government of blocking her from travelling abroad, two months before elections to replace Joseph Kabila. Marie-Josee Ifoku said that she was stopped by authorities when she attempted to visit Brazzaville in neighbouring Republic of Congo earlier this week, adding that officials had detained her colleague. "I regularly receive threats from the security services," said Ifoku, 53, adding that she had been pressured to support the candidacy of Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, a hardline former interior minister backed by Kabila.

October 19-4: On Myanmar, does the SG agree or disagree that Chin State is now “stable and secure”?

October 19-5: Please confirm or deny that “Sur un fond de crise inter-Anti-balaka dans la région de la haute-Koto, 4 policiers de la MINUSCA ont été pris en otage ce vendredi 19 octobre vers midi aux alentours de l’aérodrome. Selon nos informations,4 policiers de la MINUSCA, de retour de l’aérodrome de Bria, ont été kidnappés par un groupe des hommes lourdement armés sur des motos avant de s’éclipser dans la nature avec les otages.”

October 18-1: On Cameroon, please specify what your statement earlier this week about hate speech was referring to, whether it was directed at the government or echoed this BY the government: Gregoire Owona, Cameroon’s Minister of Labor and Social Security, accused Maurice Kamto of being an ungrateful tribalist. Owona wondered why the CRM Presidential candidate brought up the issue of Bamileke and Beti to the court. To him, by using such examples, Maurice Kamto is trying to promote hate among peaceful Cameroonians."

October 18-2: On Khashoggi, specify in what capacity Rob Skinner attended and spoke at the Saudi-funded event this week, who if anyone reviewed it and why it occurred. Also, will the SG begin a UN investigation of Khashoggi's death? Would he do it if Turkey asked? Without Saudi consent?

October 18-3: What is the SG's comment and action on reports that the UAE has hired mercenaries to conduct summary executions in Southern Yemen?

October 18-4: Against, since I have been banned from events in the UN by CPJ and UNODC, again: what is this banned-from-the-UN or “current and active barred notice” list? How can you Department of Public Information, beyond withdrawing media accreditation in order to censor, also bar the journalist as a person from entering the UN?What is this list called? How many people are on it? Is anyone else given notice? (I wasn't). What is the appeals process?

October 18-5: This morning at the Delegates Entrance gate, where I am forced to do my questioning and reporting due to 107+ day no due process ban, on information and belief Ibrahim Gambari entered this morning. Please state in what capacity he enters that gate -for the Nigerian mission? and/or if he has met or will meet with anyone in the Secretariat in recent or coming days.

October 18-6:  Regarding yesterday's statement about the event in ECOSOC, this morning the US Mission spokesman told me of the Mission "we are" complaining to the Secretariat. This is a request you inform Inner City Press if and when that occurs.

October 17-1: On Cameroon, what is the SG's comment and action on the government shutting down the press conference of opposition candidate Maurice Kamto, and these rulings by Justice Clement Atangana of the Constitutional Council that "Only the President of the Republic who appoints members of the Council has the jurisdiction to sack or question the neutrality of the Council members," Atangana said, "so the petition is inadmissible." Seems only incumbent candidate Biya controls this review. The public be damned: Rigobert Aminou Gabanmidanha, a voter, demanded complete cancellation of the vote, citing "irregularities, disregard of electoral code and rigging" observed during the poll. Atangana said the Council rules only on petitions filed by candidates, political parties which took part in the election or any person serving as a representative of the administration for the election. "You were not a candidate. You were not a representative of the administration for the election. Therefore, you have no quality to petition the Council," Atangana said, dismissing the petition as "null and void".

October 17-2: Regarding yesterday's disrupted 1:15 event in the ECOSOC Chamber, please state why UN Security did not act, whether it or the wider Secretariat has received complaint(s) and how you can justify banning a journalist now 106 days for filming and covering the Budget Committee meeting after 7 pm while no similar action after the October 16 actual disruption / hostile environment.

October 17-3: As a matter of conflict prevention, what is the SG's comment and action on that Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Tuesday accused India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) of plotting his assassination?

October 17-4: On new reports from whistleblowers about irregularities in DPA, please confirm or deny that Yvette Blanco plays a role in filling a position in the Charter branch, and explain how this could involve an upgrade for a friend from G6 to P2, with regard on information and belief Novas Alba Lismercy - and as requested yesterday, answer this question from two weeks ago: Regarding DPA and Inner City Press' reporting and complaint to OIOS about the website role(s) of the spouse of the chief of staff of DPA, please confirm or deny that Kyoko Shiotani is on leave, state how long it is to last, if she is under investigation by OIOS and why no (other) actions have been taken. The questions about the leave, and actions during leave, of OIOS' Mendoza remain UNanswered, see below.

October 16-1: On Cameroon, what is the SG's comment and action on no fewer than three opposition press conferences being outlawed and/or broken up by Paul Biya's forces concerning their criticism of systemic irregularities in the October 7 election? And, asking again, on the documented summary executions in Mutengene, Fako Division of the South-West Region?

October 16-2: Amid new reports from whistleblowers about irregularities in DPA, answer this question from two weeks ago: Regarding DPA and Inner City Press' reporting and complaint to OIOS about the website role(s) of the spouse of the chief of staff of DPA, please confirm or deny that Kyoko Shiotani is on leave, state how long it is to last, if she is under investigation by OIOS and why no (other) actions have been taken. The questions about the leave, and actions during leave, of OIOS' Mendoza remain UNanswered, see below.

October 16-3: On (lack of) accountability of UN Peacekeepers for murdering civilians, what is the SG's comment and action on this: “thirteen men, women and children were shot dead in cold blood by African Union peacekeepers serving in the Central African Republic in 2014. Three Congolese soldiers were convicted of war crimes over the massacre and sentenced to three years in jail. Families of the victims are calling for justice, with the soldiers now released after serving their sentences. Is three years enough for murdering civilians?

October 16-4: On Egypt, what is the SG's comment and action on that Egypt’s main appeals court has upheld a three-year prison sentence for former president Mohammed Morsi, who is already jailed in other cases, over a conviction for insulting the judiciary?

October 16-5: On another Inner City Press question you left unanswered, on Irish peacekeepers, please now deny or confirm and explain this: “The soldiers were due to come home on October 3 but were blocked from travelling after a diplomat used the wrong UN Operation name on their paperwork and authorities in Beirut would not let them travel home through their country. The troops were paid €1,000 each for the delay after the Minister with Responsibility for Defence Paul Kehoe was severely criticised over the error.”

October 15-1: On Cameroon, what is the SG's comment and action on calls that ELECAM, which you have said the UN is supporting in some way(s), release results polling site by polling site? What of the government's leaking of dispute results and arrest order for some opposition candidates? The reported summary executions in Mutengene, Fako Division of the South-West Region?

October 15-3: On Angola, what is the (Lusophone) SG's comment and action on this: “At least 180,000 Congolese citizens have crossed the border with Angola since 1 October - most heading to the city of Kamako where they are living in precarious informal camps, local officials have confirmed. The numbers are likely to be much higher as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola share more than 300km (186 miles) of border. Many migrants are saying they were kicked out despite having documentation to live in Angola and there are unconfirmed reports that a number of them have been brutalized and even killed by Angolan forces.”

October 15-4: As to the UN worker Inner City Press has previously asked you about in writing, Mark Barber, without any response, what is the SG's response to and action on this update from Mr. Barber: “for me things have now gotten considerably worse; mid last week I received notification that my electricity will be cut off on the 17th Oct unless I can manage to pay the arrears. As previously mentioned the disability pension barely covers our basic monthly expenditure, with us receiving two unexpectedly large electricity bills over the last few months’ (e450 & e989) we just can’t afford to pay. In addition, I have just been informed that following a hospital visit last week to find out the current status of my spine/if the last operation worked and, attempt to find out if the MMI that the UN are so hell bent on knowing has been achieved, that the hospital will not accept direct payment from medical insurance leaving me unable to pay for the results.

I sent messages to the support office handling my appendix D claim, the ABCC, the ombudsman, and the pension fund telling them of my situation, making it very clear (backed up with evidence) that come this Wednesday we will lose electricity and with that, all stockpiled food will spoil, we’ll have no heating/cooling, lighting washing facility or water as it runs from a pump, essentially come Wednesday will become nothing better than a cow in a barn.

I have pleaded with them to do something to assist, if they had processed my claim in a timely manner or, took the time to try and find an alternative post suited to my medical condition I wouldn’t been in this position; prior to termination I offered to do anything, I also offered to sign waivers to continue working without any blame laying at the UN’s feet, I would sooner have ended up in a wheelchair than see my kids living like this but, they just ignored me. So far although they did bother to read my email last week, not one person has had the courtesy to respond, not even the usual BS that they ‘sympathize’ or are ‘sorry’.

So, it would appear that not only are the UN happy to wash its hand and mess about injured staff, they are also happy to let these service incurred injuries lead to them living like a dog. For an apparent humanitarian organisation they really don’t give a damn about its staff.”

October 15-5: On Mozambique, what is the SG's comment and action on that “Mozambique's Renamo opposition on Saturday accused the government of falsifying local election results in several areas, warning that such a move could prompt it to abandon peace talks. The country went to the polls on October 10 in a key test for the ongoing peace talks between the ruling Frelimo party and Renamo - negotiations which began in 2016 to end three years of violence between government troops and Renamo rebels. "We do not want war but we also do not accept any attempt to change the popular will," Renamo's acting leader Ossufo Momade said”?

October 12-1: On Cameroon, what is the SG's comment and action on the video portraying Paul Biya's forces “storming [Maurice] Kamto's party office kicking and dragging men on the floor”?

October 12-2: For two days in a two you have answered that I am not allowed in the UN, without explaining the process or how DPI could do that. Inner City Press is now informed, by UN Security - not USG Drennan who never answered our complaint about abuse by Lt Dobbins and 5 unnamed others - that there is a list of people banned, and that it included “political activists.” In light of this outrage this is a demand that you immediately disclose the list, who is on it, how and by whom they were put on it, if they were notified, what the process for being removed from this (outrageous) list is.

October 12-3: On Libya, confirm or deny that Jeffrey Feltman is under consideration to become an adviser to SRSG Salame, and separately disclose the number of communications received by the SG's office opposing such a role for Feltman.

October 11-1: On Cameroon, what is the SG's comment and actin on that at a hearing at the Yaounde Appeals Court today for the fifth time, Sissiku Ayuk Tabe and his fellow defendants -- refouled from Nigeria while the DSG was there -- were not present in court, despite a court order saying they should be there. “We have fears that if they cannot be brought even at the level of the court of appeal, then there is something wrong,” Mr Ndong said The next hearing comes up on 1 November and the lawyer said if the defendants are not physically present, then the government "should present certificates of life to show that they are alive”. Also, what is the SG's comment on Cameroon being set to be elected to the UN Human Rights Council tomorrow on a “clean” slate?

October 11-2: On Somaliland, what is the view and action if any of the SG and his envoy(s) to DP World chairman and chief cxecutive Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem's plan to develop a new port in Somaliland and saying it will not be hampered by the fact that the former British protectorate in East Africa is not recognized as an independent country. "It does not cause any legal problem because this is an economic activity and it's a port that is going to create jobs," says Mr bin Sulayem. Does the UN agree or disagree?

October 11-3: On Togo, what is the comment and action of the SG and separately his envoy Chambas on this: A Togolese opposition leader who had been on hunger strike was evacuated to a hospital in Ghana after his health deteriorated, his relatives said on Wednesday. Nicodeme Ayao Habia, who had refused food since September 19, was evacuated to Ghana's capital of Accra on Tuesday after his condition worsened, his communication advisor Achille Mensah said.”

October 11-4: Also on Togo, and SEA, I repeat yesterday's questions (all of them, especially) for all information in your possession about the sexual exploitation by the Togolese “peacekeepers” in CAR. In all previous cases your office has had additional if-asked information. Now I am banned - 100th day, no due process censorship - and you have failed to answer my written questions for Inner City Press as promised by USG Smale, to GAP and in last Aug 17 letter. Responses demanded.

October 10-1: On Cameroon, beyond and related to the UNanswered question about the UN's support of ELECAM, what is the SG's comment and action on Biya's state television inaccurately claiming that the Oct 7 election was observed by Transparency International?

October 10-2: Regarding DPA and Inner City Press' reporting and complaint to OIOS about the website role(s) of the spouse of the chief of staff of DPA, please confirm or deny that Kyoko Shiotani is on leave, state how long it is to last, if she is under investigation by OIOS and why no (other) actions have been taken. The questions about the leave, and actions during leave, of OIOS' Mendoza remain UNanswered, see below.

October 10-3: Yesterday you said in a response that “at this point Mr Lee is not allowed in the building.” Please immediately state under what authority, since I have received nothing in writing beyond the August 17 no due process letter from DPI's Smale (who never spoke to me) and DPI would appear to have no authority to block people from entering the UN for, for example, decolonization meetings of the 4th committee. Please also immediately explain your September 28 response that “no one” there has called it a lifetime ban. This is a travesty - and censorship.

October 10-4: Now that the UN is putting online the many new sexual exploitation and abuse charges right at noon, please explain why you did not mention the new charges against Gabonese peacekeepers in CAR yesterday, and please now provide all further if-asked information about these abuses: you are being asked.

October 9-1: On Cameroon, describe the UN's support to ELECAM and its communications, which have included the statement the voting went of “without a hitch” amid burning of homes by the government. Also, what is the SG's comment on opposition candidate Maurice Kamto declaring himself the winner.

October 9-2: On UN bribery and Frances Lorenzo who pleaded guilty, Inner City Press is informed that even this year, long after his guilty plea, Lorenzo said he was working on elections in the UN. In this context please state when Lorenzo's ID pass to the UN expired/expires, and when to the UN's knowledge he (and Patrick Ho and Cheikh Gadio) have been in the UN in the past three years.

October 9-3: What is the SG's comment and action on that Mauritania's human rights group representing the Haratins - former slaves of black African origin - has condemned the use of "brutal force" by the police against protesters who gathered outside parliament on Monday.The demonstrators were demanding the release of the prominent anti-slavery campaigner Biram Ould Dah Ould Abeid.

October 9-4: As I asked yesterday without response, on the SG's trip to Bali, (1) how much will it cost, (2) who's going and (3) is there a stop over either way in Lisbon, since there have been 15 others? 

October 8-2: What is the SG's comment and action on the detention and now “resignation” of Interpol president Meng Hongwei?

October 8-3: In the DR Congo there are reports of a “ United Nations truck which overturned this morning has been found to be carrying illegal minerals” - please immediately deny or confirm and explain, given also this reported history: “a UN staff was on 21st August 2011 at the border crossing with Rwanda with 1,200 kilograms of cassiterite in his UN-marked vehicle plate n° 1727. The UN Mission in the DRC is suspected to be involved in the slaughter of elephants in the National Park of Virunga with the complicity of militias of Forces démocratique pour la liberation du Rwanda, FDLR.”

October 8-4: As a matter of how Mr. Guterres' UN treats injured staff members I am requesting by close of (your) business 5 pm the UN's response to the detailed tale of staff member [redacted for now] “severely injured my spine serving in Mogadishu; this has resulted in so far two major surgeries, my termination from service and, cancellation of health insurance seven days following my last surgery (ASHI was eventually provided several months’ later). The issue I, and other SM’s are having is with the appendix D supposedly in place to protect us when we are injured. On one hand, the UN is happy to admit that due to these service-incurred injuries I am disabled, awarding me a disability pension; to the extent that it will not be reviewed for a minimum of five years (apparently anything over two years ‘ in the eyes of the law is classed as a permanent disablement) however, when it comes to the processing of my appendix d claim they refuse to make any progression at all, in fact, they have done nothing for over two years’ claiming they are unable to ascertain if my disablement is permanent or not. What they don’t seem to care about is the fact that due to this injury and their continued incompetence/refusal to process claims or, stick to their own rules and regulations contained within the appendix, they are ruining SM lives.”

October 8-5: On Libya, what is the UN's knowledge of the reported arrest of former Egyptian army officer Hisham Ashmawy? Also, given the SG's stated interest in the rights of refugees and migrants, what are the SG's comments and actions on

1. Has the UN made any representations to the EU to halt or amend its support for interceptions and returns by the Libyan coastguard. And if not, why not?

2. Has the UN made any representations to Italy & the EU to allow the resumption of NGO search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean. And if not, why not?

3. Has the UN made any representations to the Libyan authorities to halt the detention of refugees and migrants who have been disembarked by the Libyan coastguard? And if not, why not?

4. Exactly what kind of 'humanitarian assistance' does the UN provide to people who are disembarked by the Libyan coastguard, and for how long does UN have access to these people after disembarkation?

5. When disembarkation occurs, what kind of screening take place to ensure that children, as well as people with medical problems and protection needs are not put into detention? How many people have been 'screened out' in this way, and what happens to them next?

6. Is the UN informed of and granted access to all of those people who are disembarked by the Libyan coastguard?

7. How exactly are people who are disembarked by the Libyan coastguard transferred to detention centres - and is the UN aware of any human rights abuses (i.e. the use of physical force) that take place in the transfer process?

8. Once detained, in what ways are people who have been disembarked by the Libyan coastguard able to gain their freedom?

9. How exactly does the UN identify detainee candidates for its Assisted Return and Humanitarian Evacuation Programs?

10. Can the UN confirm that detainees in Libya continue to be sold and rented out to local employers in order to perform slave-like unpaid labour? If so, what representations is the UN taking to bring these practices to an end?"  Dujarric bantered and said Guterres is taking off for a week, to Bali and where else? Watch this site. Also:

October 5-1: On Egypt, what is the SG's comment and action on reports of Egyptian authorities “forcibly disappearing” a prominent human rights lawyer who was due to be released from prison last month but whose whereabouts remain unknown? Ezzat Ghoneim, head of the independent Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms (ECRF), was last seen by his wife on Sept. 13 at a police station south of Cairo.

October 5-2: Please provide a read out of the SG's meeting yesterday with Belarus' foreign minister, as was done for other countries' FMs, and state why the SG did the meeting in The Residence, if its location is sometimes said to be confidential or not to be publicized.

October 5-3: On South Sudan, what is the SG's comment and action on that the South Sudan Presidential spokesman said they will not compromise over the release of James Dak, the spokesperson of the SPLM-IO’s leader. On Monday Ateny Wek Ateny denied the existence of political prisoners in South Sudan. He told Radio Tamazuj that "all political detainees had been released. We have prisoners of war and not political detainees". Juba released twenty political prisoners but James Gatdet Dak, the imprisoned-spokesperson SPLM-IO’s leader was not among them. Manawa Peter Gatkuoth SPLM-IO Deputy Chairperson of the National Committee for Information and Public Relations told Sudan Tribune they learnt that Dak was told that he is not included in the presidential decree for the release of the political prisoners and detainees. "This is a serious development and we hope that the government of South Sudan will reconsider its position and release him as soon as possible," Manawa said. He further said that Dak is "the ideal example for the political prisoner" according to the standards enshrined in international law before to stress that claiming he is not covered by the presidential pardon is a clear breach of the revitalized agreement. "We appeal to the international community to intervene to secure his release because Dak’s imprisonment cannot be subjected to political bargaining," he said.

October 5-4: Now that the Spokesman who was on the trip is back... please explain how a UN spokesperson can legitimately block on Twitter a media which covers the UN, when he is posting UN information produced with public funds.

October 4-2: In the China Energy Fund Committee / Patrick Ho case, new filings by the prosecution reflect Ho's / CEFC's involvement in weapons brokering to Libya, South Sudan and Qatar, and work to evade sanctions on Iran. What is the SG's comment and action on his previous failure to even start an OIOS audit of CEFC's and Ho's activities in the UN, which Inner City Press asked him about in January 2018 before being banned from the UN?

October 4-3: On that, during the UN General Assembly week, I was banned from entering to attend three events I had RSVP-ed for, two of which I had tickets to. For the third, ironically about Press Freedom, CPJ told me they put my name in but was it blocked. They said they reached out to the “media liaison office.” But I was still banned.

On Monday September 24 when I was blocked, I was told to talk to DPI. I called USG Smale's office, and a staff member named Charlotte assured me she would look into it and get back to me. Nine days later, she still hasn't. So today I am asking to be informed by what right and under what order (and what due process) the Department of Public Information has me banned from attending events I am invited to in the UN about banks and slavery, human rights, and press freedom.

While I will continue to insist there must be due process for USG Smale's / SG Guterres' decision to ban a media from the Secretariat, I assert there is no right to ban me from covering the member states / Conference Building and I should be given / returned to a pass that allows such access, immediately. This is also a formal request to be able to cover the October 11 UNSC consultations on Wester Sahara / MINURSO. I will have other questions.

October 3-1: On Tanzania what is the SG's and separately DSG's comment and action on the new law “which means anyone questioning the government's official statistics faces a fine and at least three years in prison”?

October 3-2: Please state if the SG's spouse Catarina de Almeida Vaz Pinto is on the trip to India, if so who is paying for it including security costs. Also regarding the trip, please confirm or deny this report: “UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in an exclusive conversation with DD News said that the honour is a fitting recognition of PM's leadership in the fight against climate change.The UN Secretary General also supported India's bid for a permanent seat in United Nations Security Council.” http://www.ddinews.gov.in/national/un-chief-ant%C3%B3nio-guterres-supports-indias-bid-permanent-seat-unsc

October 3-3: On the UK, what is the SG's comment and action on that “the granddaughter of a woman who was evicted from the Chagos Islands by the British has been threatened with deportation from the UK. Taniella Moustache's grandmother was forced to leave the Chagos Islands in 1971 by the British and she settled in the Seychelles. “[The UK government] removed my family [from the Chagos Islands] and put a military base there but now don’t want my kids to be British citizens,” Ms Valentin is quoted. It is now half a century since the UK took control of the Chagos Islands from its then colony, Mauritius, and evicted the entire population, before inviting the United States to build a military base on Diego Garcia, one of the larger atolls.”

October 3-4: On FYROM, The SG / Spox said “The fact that an overwhelming majority of those voting supported the Prespa Agreement is important. The Secretary-General urges all political forces in the country to proceed with implementation through the country’s institutions.” What is the SG's comment on the turn-out being so low? Is this a mandate? Does the SG consider the level of turn out legitimate, given his comment?

October 3-5: Please provide the UN's explanation: It is reported that “THE RETURN OF 119 Irish peacekeepers from Syria has been delayed for two weeks after they did not receive clearance to travel home via Lebanon from the war-torn nation. Earlier this week, the Defence Forces said that the return of the 57th Infantry Group, which was in Syria on a United Nations peacekeeping mission, had been postponed.” Was this bad planning? Was the delay unforseeable? What was the UN role?

October 2-1 [answered off camera to a pro-SG corespondent]: In the Sexual Exploitation case of the UN Police from Nigeria in the DRC, put online after 5 pm yesterday, since it is listed as “substantiated” what actions for accountability have been taken?

October 2-2: While he is in India, what is the SG's comment and action on that “Indian police on Tuesday fired tear gas and water cannons to halt and scatter a march by thousands of protesting farmers heading for the capital, New Delhi, to demand better prices for their produce. Reeling from a crash in commodity prices, more than 50,000 farmers from the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, a top producer of wheat and cane, blocked part of the main highway to the capital”?

October 2-3: On South Africa, what is the SG's comment and action on that “More than 90 politicians have been murdered in SA since the start of 2016, the New York Times has revealed in an in-depth article. The newspaper said the killings had this in common: "They were members of the ANC who had spoken out against corruption in the party that defined their lives”?

October 2-4: On South Sudan, what is the SG's comment and action on, and separately UNMISS' knowledge of, that “The SPLM-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) accused the government forces of carrying out several attacks on its positions in Yei river State less than two weeks before the troops’ disengagement process”?

October 2-5: Following up on one of the questions left unanswered, on Morocco, what is the SG's comment and action on the calls for Morocco to investigate the death of Hayat Belkacem, a young woman killed by the navy while she was trying to reach the Spanish coast. The incident occurred last Tuesday when the Moroccan navy opened fire on a Go fast, a type of powerful motor boat that was carrying about 20 migrants off Findeq. Belkacem, a law student, was shot and died as a result of her injuries, while three other passengers aged 20 to 30 sustained injuries. The captain of the boat, a Spanish national, was arrested.”

October 1-2: On September 28 you said that you are answering Inner City Press' emailed questions. Why then have so few questions, particularly but not only on Cameroon, been answered? You also said that no one in the UN Secretariat has called the ban on Inner City Press a lifetime ban. What then is the process to end it? And see unanswered Question September 26-2 below and note that CPJ says they gave the UN Inner City Press name for entry to the September 28 event on arrested journalists in Myanmar and elsewhere but that the UN removed it. Why? Under what order?

October 1-3: Noting that “Maghreb Arab Press (MAP) reported that Guterres and Bourita also discussed the Western Sahara conflict,” please confirm and provide further details. Who attended the meeting? What was discussed? Why is Inner City Press being banned from covering the October 11 UNSC consultations on Western Sahara, a UNSC issue it has covered for 12 years? This is a request to access to stake-out that UNSC consultation, and before that the October 3 Program of Work press conference by Bolivia as president of UNSC for October.

October 1-4: Regarding Heidi Mendoza, USG of OIOS, and her recent public comments on politics in the Philippines: a) what is Ms Mendoza's current status with the UN? b) if she is on medical leave, is it paid leave? c) do the UN's rules about international public servants not getting involved in their countries' politics apply to those on such leave, or whatever type of leave Ms Mendoza is on? d) can the SG waive such rules? When and in what circumtances? Has he waived rules here? e) is there an Officer in Charge at OIOS? Who is it? f) does Ms Mendoza has any involvement in OIOS decisions while on leave?

October 1-5: On Burkina Faso, what is the SG's comment and action on that “Thousands of opposition supporters took to the streets of the Burkinabe capital Ouagadougou on Saturday, the first major protest against the leadership of President Roch Marc Christian Kabore. “No to insecurity, terrorism, to corruption, to unemployment," chanted the protesters in the first such march organised by the opposition since the election of President Kabore in November 2015.”

October 1-6: Please provide the SG's comment and action on that “Alfredo Forti, a special advisor to Secretary General Antonio Guterres until 2017 and a member of his special task force on sexual abuse [said] 'I totally agree that certain administrative bodies of the UN, like the CDU or OIOS, do sometimes, through their bureaucratic processing of cases, constitute an obstacle to justice.'”
September 28-2: What is the SG's comment and action on Morocco's navy firing on a boat that was carrying migrants to Spain, in an assault that killed a 22-year-old student.Hayat Belkacem died and three other Moroccans were wounded -- one critically -- when a speedboat they were in was hit by live rounds on Tuesday in waters off the Moroccan locality of M'diq-Fnideq.

September 28-3: On Cameroon, beyond the UNanswered questions below, what is the SG's comment and action on the analysis that “If huge portions of the populace are unable to vote due to the Anglophone unrest, the election may lose even more of its perceived validity. If this happens and the re-election of an unpopular Biya is deemed to have been unfair, it could spark frustrations beyond the Anglophone regions.”

September 28-4: On UN travel costs, please state when and if the UNEP audit by OIOS will be public and please confirm and provide justification for these expenditures for

MICHELE CANDOTTI, Chief of Staff $ 44,714.04

New York $ 5,536.00 $ 5,005.00

California $ 390.00 $ 631.00

Belgium - Italy $ 3,371.00 $ 2,447.00

Belgium $ 2,063.00 $ 1,995.04

Italy - Turkey $ 3,877.00 $ 1,295.00

Italy - Ethiopia - Kenya $ 7,422.00 $ -

Kenya - Italy $ 7,561.00 $ 3,121.00

September 27-1: On Cameroon, beyond the unanswered questions below, what is the SG's comment and action on the multiple reports of seven young men just assassinated by the government in Buea?
September 27-2: On DRC, it is reported that the country “is boycotting two planned U.N. events focusing on the central African nation because it was not consulted on the agenda or expected outcome, the president's top adviser Barnabe Kikaya Bin Karubi” said. Is it the case that DPA or the Secretariat or UN Peacekeeping never consulted the DRC? What is the SG's response to Joseph Kabila calling for UN Peacekeepers to leave DRC?

September 27-3: It is reported that “The U.N. Headquarters also had expenses covered by the U.S. ... notably $54,000 for outdoor tents.” Please confirm or deny and state who paid for the outdoor tents.

September 27-4: On UN travel costs, please state when and if the UNEP audit by OIOS will be public and please confirm and provide justification for these expenditures for

HAOLIANG XU, Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific $ 227,769.79

China, Thailand $ 7,843.00 $ 1,016.00

Myanmar $ 7,203.60 $ 1,122.32

Mongolia $ 1,622.00 $ 806.96

Thailand - Bhutan $ 681.80

Thailand - Boston $ 7,421.00 $ 956.08

Indonesia - Thailand $ 7,361.10 $ 1,916.08

China - East Timor $ 7,296.00 $ 3,433.83

Washington DC $ 613.00 $ 329.78

Pakistan - Republic of Korea $ 9,523.30 $ 2,376.08

Iran - Thailand $ 5,943.00 $ 2,620.20

Sri Lanka - Thailand - China $ 2,412.00 $ 2,265.76

Belgium $ 4,210.00 $ 950.00

Philippines - Papua New Guinea - Thailand $ 9,553.00 $ 3,067.72

Switzerland $ 3,736.00 $ 942.72

Myanmar $ 7,515.00 $ 669.00

Thailand - Indonesia - Singapore - Laos $ 11,128.00 $ 2,832.90

Afghanistan - Thailand - Malaysia $ 5,300.40 $ 1,850.32

Sri Lanka - Thailand - India $ 18,722.20 $ 2,776.89

Bangladesh - Thailand $ 7,368.00 $ 1,805.00

Thailand - China $ 17,540.42 $ 2,682.64

Thailand - Hongkong - Fiji - Tonga $ 14,771.20 $ 3,248.86

Samoa - Australia - Nauru $ 5,140.00 $ 1,183.30

Guam - Micronesia - Palau - Thailand - Myanmar $ 13,938.00 $ 2,635.54

China $ 866.80 $ 848.40

Cambodia - Japan $ 5,613.11 $ 2,111.48."

September 26-1: On Benin, what is the SG's comment and action if any on the new law which requires anyone wanting to stand in presidential elections to pay the equivalent of around $450,000. “Nicephore Soglo, who was president in the 1990s, described the recently-approved law as brutal and clumsy. He said President Patrice Talon's government was excluding anyone who was young, poor or disadvantaged.”

September 26-2: On the UN's “current and active barred” list, how many people are on it? How are people put on it? Are most of them given written notice and an opportunity to be heard? If not how does this comply with the “rule of law” the SG talks about?

September 26-3: On reports that Norway is cutting its funding to UNESCO because it was not given a high position there, what is the SG's comment and action on this? Is such a quid pro quo approach acceptable or the norm in his UN system?

September 25-1: On Cameroon, beyond the UNanswered questions below, please state the UN's role(s) in the October 7 elections, and the SG's comment and action on doubts about voting and counting in the North-West and South-West (Anglophone) regions.

September 25-2: On UN system travel spending waste, what is the SG's comment and action on that Sweden and Denmark are freezing their financial contributions to UNEP until the final report about Erik Solheim’s spending is ready?

September 25-3: On South Sudan, what is the SG's comment and action on that President Salva Kiir Monday appointed a UN-sanctioned general as the deputy minister of defence. In a presidential decree announced by the South Sudan TV on Monday evening, Kiir appointed the deputy chief of defence for logistics in the South Sudan Army Malek Reuben Riak Rengu as a deputy defence minister?

September 25-4: On Togo what is the SG's comment and action on thaat a former lawmaker in Togo was on Monday on hunger strike to call for the release of opposition supporters who were arrested during anti-government demonstrations. Nicodeme Ayao Habia, head of the Democrats party, began his protest six days ago in front of Ghana's embassy in the Togolese capital, Lome. "I am on hunger strike to demand the release of all people who were arrested during protests by the opposition coalition who are still languishing in prison," he said. “I won't move from here as long as these people are in prison," he said, holding a small sign with photos of three of those detained. This morning, police tried to move me along but I refused as I am within my rights. They even tried to rough me up." Some 44 people who were arrested during opposition protests against President Faure Gnassingbe and his government remain in prison, according to the coalition.”

September 24-1: On Cameroon, many in the country are expressing concern and some asking Inner City Press about UN vehicles recently photographed arriving in the port of Doula. Please immediately state UN's knowledge and explanation of these vehicles. Also, including because Cameroon was not mentioned in SG's AU read-out, please inform Inner City Press if and when the situation in North-West or South-West Cameroon comes up in any of the SG's meeting this week.

September 24-2: Yesterday's New York Post reports that you “told The Post that Guterres 'frequently travels through Lisbon on official business, taking advantage of the weekend. This is done at no extra cost' to the UN.” Please explain where UN Security stay when they accompany the SG to Lisbon and how this involves no extra cost to the UN.

September 24-4: On UN travel costs, please state when and if the UNEP audit by OIOS will be public and please confirm and provide justification for these expenditures for

MOURAD WAHBA, Regional Bureau for Arab States $ 187,763.32

Jordan - Egypt $ 8,346.20 $ 2,172.00

Belgium - Kenya - Somalia $ 11,861.00 $ 2,805.77

Washington DC $ 449.00 $ 347.20

Switzerland $ 15,850.10 $ 573.00

Egypt $ 3,897.00 $ 690.00

Jordan $ 5,103.44 $ 1,402.24

Washington DC $ 480.00 $ 521.44

Japan $ 7,634.00 $ 1,565.40

Syria - Lebanon - Turkey $ 4,246.00 $ 2,773.20

Belgium $ 6,936.00 $ 999.68

Djibouti - Yemen - Somalia - Kenya $ 6,918.00 $ 1,685.00

Germany $ 11,048.00 $ 1,154.00

Lebanon $ 3,615.00 $ (9.91)

France - Switzerland $ 11,424.00 $ 2,146.96

Belgium $ 17,565.00 $ 2,502.16

UAE- Kuwait $ 5,684.00 $ 1,701.96

Algeria $ 5,797.00 $ 447.18

Lebanon $ 3,220.00 $ -

Belgium $ 9,134.00 $ 2,247.40

Lebanon - Jordan - Tunisia - Libya $ 3,681.00 $ 1,899.56

Washington DC $ 937.00 $ 399.20

Germany $ 6,276.00 $ 1,523.14

Japan $ 6,908.00 $ 1,207.00." No answers on waste. Only this was responded to, by Dujarric's deputy Farhan Haq: "
 
UNanswered: September 21-1: On Cameroon, beyond yesterday's still unanswered question about Special Adviser Dieng, what is the SG's comment and action on Paul Biya's government saying that neighborhoods in Yaounde with Anglophone residents are full of “terrorists and secessionists” and preparing to crack down on them? What is the UN's role, if any, in the dubious upcoming election?
September 21-2: On UN travel costs, please state when and if the UNEP audit by OIOS will be public and please confirm and provide justification for these expenditures for UNDP's Tegegnework Gettu:
TEGEGNEWORK GEITU, Associate Administrator $ 159,640.41

Nigeria $ 11,197.00 $ 280.00

Norway $ 5,116.00 $ 784.00

Afghanistan $ 16,260.00 $ 162.00

Switzerland $ 22,136.21 $ 368.00

Japan $ 5,405.00 $ 574.00

China $ 3,459.00 $ 460.00

Afghanistan $ 20,489.00 $ 162.00

China, Qatar $ 16,697.00 $ 2,178.00

Kenya $ 4,473.00 $ 1,050.00

Malaysia $ 11,084.00 $ 216.00

China - Ethiopia $ 16,645.02 $ 1,545.57

Djibouti $ 6,916.00 $ 466.35

Eritrea $ 1,273.26 $ 430.00

China $ 9,398.00 $ 416.00

September 21-3: On Zambia, what is the SG's comment and action on “Zambia says donors withholding nearly $34 million over mismanagement” - does his UN share the concerns about corruption? Is the UN doing anything about it?

September 20-1: On Tanzania, what is the SG's comment and action on that Tanzania's main opposition party on Wednesday said it would boycott the electoral process until further notice after by-elections that it said had been wrecked by "militarisation" by the authorities. Freeman Mbowe, president of the Chadema party, told a press conference, "We can no longer take part in elections of this kind. Democracy is being taken hostage”?
September 20-2: What is the status of Heidi Mendoza at OIOS - is she still on leave? - and what is the SG's comment and action on her recent public statements on politics in The Philippines, including describing an agency there as “we” and how this comports, or doesn't, with her duty as an international civil servant?

September 20-3: On Cameroon, please confirm that the SG's adviser Dieng is seeking to visit the country and explain both how it is within his mandate to speak, as he did yesterday in the briefing like today's by the SG I am banned from, in opposition to any encouragement of secession and how the SG thinks this position is a legitimate one for the UN and separately how it could play a role if it has already said what the outcome should be.

September 19-1: On Uganda, what is the SG's comment and action on that “Police in Uganda have warned that any welcoming rally for musician-turned-MP Bobi Wine will be unlawful”?

September 19-2: On UN travel costs, please state when and if the UNEP audit by OIOS will be public and please confirm and provide justification for these expenditures for UNDP's Achim Steiner:

UNDP MANAGEMENT Air Ticket Allowance

ACHIM STEINER, Administrator $ 353,732.24

Switzerland $ 1,024.00 $ -

New York $ 9,345.00 $ -

New York $ 8,612.00 $ 151.68

Italy $ 10,205.00 $ 320.00

Myanmar - Japan - United Kingdom $ 28,453.45 $ 1,239.04

Sweden - Norway $ 7,409.00 $ 736.00

Germany $ 10,039.00 $ 324.00

United Kingdom $ 6,576.00 $ 439.75

San Francisco $ 3,758.00 $ 411.24

Washington DC $ 408.00 $ 1,029.68

Washington DC $ 612.00 $ 893.06

Sweden $ 9,887.00 $ 214.00

Egypt $ 7,345.00 $ 207.00

Germany - Qatar $ 11,991.00 $ 2,592.06

Switzerland - India - China - France $ 31,443.70 $ 1,969.64

Switzerland - Ethiopia - Somalia $ 19,652.30 $ 6,976.69

UAE - Kuwait - Lebanon - Germany - Belgium $ 19,985.00 $ 3,143.32

Washington DC $ 1,380.00 $ 545.57

Zimbabwe - Argentina $ 16,523.00 $ 1,284.38

Boston $ 523.62 $ 385.00

Turkey - France $ 11,515.30 $ 708.59

United Kingdom $ 6,877.00 $ -

Sweden $ 5,779.00 $ 838.00

Washington DC $ 915.00 $ 1,099.70

Belgium - United Kingdom $ 7,974.00 $ 4,521.88

Norway - Russia $ 9,617.00 $ 938.03

Switzerland - France - Germany $ 13,829.00 $ 2,382.77

France $ 13,350.00 $ 841.35

Vietnam $ 6,830.00 $ 402.67

Argentina - United Kingdom $ 17,915.00 $ 764.77

Angola - Namibia $ 8,616.00 $ -

Germany $ 6,098.00 $ 322.00

Panama $ 3,037.00 $ 526.00." All for a total of $ 353,732.24....

Inner City Press has further questions travel spending, by Mr Gettu and others but is await your answers on the above, and on the SG.

September 19-3: In Liberia, what is the UN's knowledge of, and comment on, the allegedly missing millions in bank notes printed outside the country?

September 19-4: In Cameroon, beyond the below, what is the SG's comment and action on the travel restrictions imposed in North-West Region, and on the continued incarceration of journalist Thomas Awah?

September 18-1: In the new sexual exploitation and abuses cases, please explain whether the “Congo (the)” cases, of exploitation and alleged rape of adult, are about the same suspect; explain why in one MINUSCA case payments have been suspended but not others (for example, not to the Cameroon suspect);
September 18-2: On UN travel costs, given the role of the Office of South South Cooperation in the Ng Lap Seng / PGA John Ashe UN bribery case and that you have banned me from briefing including the recent one by Jorge Chediek, please confirm and provide jusification for these expenditures, including who else accompanied Mr. Chediek to conference(s) in China and those costs:

JORGE CHEDIEK, UN Office for South-South Cooperation $ 144,298.82

Benin $ 5,390.00 $ 509.04

Switzerland $ 2,450.00 $ 1,272.00

Thailand $ 3,140.00 $ 975.53

Turkey - Kazakhstan $ 4,500.00 $ 1,091.24

Kenya $ 4,740.00 $ 1,210.72

China $ 5,270.00 $ 673.40

Brazil $ 5,950.00 $ 505.76

Argentina $ 3,520.00 $ 1,230.00

China - India $ 9,045.10 $ 1,420.90

Argentina $ 4,053.00 $ 1,168.32

France $ 2,424.50 $ 1,313.68

Germany $ 2,315.00 $ 1,030.00

Brazil $ 2,672.10 $ 815.50

Turkey $ 2,722.00 $ 363.00

Bangladesh - Hong Kong $ 7,800.00 $ 1,771.48

Hawaii $ 2,848.00 $ 337.80

Egypt - France $ 3,976.90 $ 2,283.00

Brazil $ 2,747.60 $ 822.17

Argentina $ 5,053.70 $ 909.52

Portugal - Spain $ 3,832.01 $ 1,698.16

Cuba $ 342.70 $ 848.94

South Africa $ 7,424.50 $ 710.39

China $ 5,429.00 $ 1,307.21

France - Norway $ 1,912.71 $ 1,603.60

Thailand $ 6,326.00 $ 1,262.83

Egypt $ 5,650.00 $ 983.92

India $ 3,882.21 $ 763.68

Inner City Press has further questions travel spending, by Steiner, Solheim and others but is await your answers on the above, and on the SG.

September 18-3: On Thailand, what is the SG's comment and action on that leaders of a new Thai political party that opposes military rule appeared before police Monday to hear charges over a Facebook video broadcast that authorities allege violated the law? What are the SG's views on how freedom of speech and of the press applies to videos, including live videos, on social media platforms?

September 18-4: On the DRC, relatedly, given the UN's large and longtime presence there, what is the SG's comment and action on “The Democratic Republic of Congo's state-run television announced Monday it had fired two reporters who covered an opposition leader's press conference in defiance of editorial policy. The journalist and cameramen went to report on the head of the Congo National Liberation Front who laid down what some local media called an "ultimatum" to President Joseph Kabila on August 22. Their story on Elie Kapend Kanyimbu, a former rebel chief and comrade of Kabila's father, was not aired by the National Radio and Television of Congo (RTNC) network. He was arrested the following day”?

September 18-5: On Bangladesh, and lobbying at the UN, what is the SG's rsponse to “Mirza Fakhrul started for London on Friday and met Tarique there before flying back home. The BNP reportedly had hired a US lobbyist firm for arranging the meetings, though the party claims Mirza Fakhrul travelled there at the invitation of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.” Did the SG know if Fakhrul or BNP hired a lobbyist to set up the meeting? Did the SG know about the Squires Patton Boggs contract by Cameroon before his July 11 meeting? See below - UNanswered.

September 17-1: Inner City Press has obtained and reported on, but not yet published in full, USG Jan Beagle's September 14 memo about the 10% budget cuts. Please immediately state if any departments or activities will take smaller - or larger - cuts, state which states have paid and how much since the SG's pre-vacation warning, and what impact the cuts may have.
September 17-2: It is multiply reported that Sri Lanka during the upcoming high level week will make a presentation to the SG about, among other things, limited the currently stated vetting of Sri Lanka troops for participation in alleged war crimes. Please state the date of any meeting of the SG with President Sirisena, and state the UN's / SG's view of the current vetting system, including seeming lack of compliance by Sri Lanka. What is the status of Sri Lankan deployments and/or rotations?

September 17-3: UN bribery co-indictee, along with Patrick Ho of CEFC, Cheikh Gadio of Senegal has had charges dropped and said he will “cooperate” with prosecutors. With the trial set for November, what steps if any has the SG taken to determine who beyond ex-PGA Kutesa may have received payments or in-kind support from Ho / CEFC, and if no audit has been started, as even SG Ban did on Ng Lap Seng, why not.

September 17-4: On Cyprus, what is the SG's (or part time envoy Lute's) comment and action on Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan saying on Sept. 16. “We will not decrease the number of our soldiers there but on the contrary, we will increase them”?

September 17-5: It is reported that UN secretary general Antonio Guterres will attend the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in New Delhi on October 2. Please confirm and disclose whether this time, like the one to Ghana, will including a stop over in Lisbon and at what cost to the public / UN.

September 17-6: In terms of world diplomacy and his own (family) role, what is the SG's comment and action / role if any on “Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa arrives in Luanda on Monday, while Angola’s President Joao Lourenco is due to visit Lisbon on November 23 and 24. The diplomacy marks an effort to move beyond the legacy of colonial rule over Angola that ended in 1975 when Portugal withdrew without handing over power...
September 14-1: On Chad, what is the UN's knowledge of and SG comment and action on that the Chadian army bombed the northern town of Kouri Bougoudi on Thursday morning, after a rebel attack by a Chadian armed group based in southern Libya. "The bombing only targeted civilians," a parliamentarian is quoted”?

September 14-3: DRC, what is the UN's knowledge of and SG comment and action on the kidnapping, now just ended of a journalist in Bukavu in South Kivu (eastern DRC). Hassan Murhabazi, a journalist with Radio Svein? What is MONUSCO and the UN going to protect journalists as it claims to desire?

September 14-4: Please inquire and disclose if the UN, OLA or any other department, instructed the copy shop on 45th Street between 2d and 3d Ave, IAE, to stop using the phrase “Official Vendor UN and UNDP” on its signs, as Inner City Press published on September 6 https://twitter.com/innercitypress/status/1037801352024469505 and state, other than waiting for the inquiry of the Press it bans for its reporting, the UN has an program to stop the uses of its name for money.

September 13-1: On Cameroon, what is the SG's comment and action on the Biya' government now using INTERPOL against its opponents, and having websites and reporters blocked or banned from social media platforms?
September 13-2: Regarding the UN system's rules for use of UN funds for personal travel, and in light of the OIOS criticism of Erik Solheim at UNEP (below), what is the SG's comment and action, will be ensure that the OIOS audit be released to the public in its entirety and that his own travel be subject to an independent audit? See, “"Some of the trips to Oslo and Paris were called 'bilateral meetings,' even though they took place during weekends or the Christmas holidays... On one occasion he made an eight hour flight from Washington DC for a weekend in Paris, before he boarded another flight for New York." Has the SG done anything similar since Jan 1, 2017?

"The UNEP and UN’s Nairobi office should reclaim from these employees (1) all travel expenses and the related working hours which have not been accounted for; and (2) all additional costs incurred by the UNEP as a consequence of uneconomic and inefficient decisions by the management." Should the money be returned, does the SG think?

Finally, confirm that the two others at UNEP subject to OIOS criticism are Anne Lemore and Lisa Svensson, or state why you will not do so, given the allegations of waste of public funds, and when you would release the names.

September 13-3: On the Maldives, what is the SG's comment and action on reports the government is blocking access to international media in order to “steal the election”?

September 13-4: Please confirm that the husband of DPA's chief of staff, of whom Inner City Press has previously asked you and reported, did not have his contract renewed - since your office said his employment was entirely legitimate, this update should be given - and state who has replaced him, the nationality and how selected.


September 12-2: What is the UN's knowledge of and action on reports of Ugandan girls seeking employment as domestic workers in Oman are in fact being trafficked and sold as slaves?

September 12-3: On the Comoros, what is the SG's comment and action on that prosecutors in Comoros have issued an international arrest warrant for a former vice president who opposed a series of constitutional reforms enabling President Azali Assoumani to extend his term in office. A warrant is out for the arrest of Jaffar Ahmed Said Hassani, who served as one of the Indian Ocean archipelago's three vice presidents.The warrant was issued as the authorities pressed a crackdown on figures who opposed July's controversial referendum”?

September 10-2: On Burundi is there any comment and action by the SG and separately his part time envoy Kafando on the authorities treatment of the journalist from Radio Culture and if not, why not?

September 7-1: On Myanmar, please confirm there is a Conflict Prevention and Peace Forum (CPPF) and the UN Department of Political Affairs meeting on or about Sept 11, state who will attend and what the agenda is, for transparecy.

September 7-2: Please immediately confirm or deny the SG will stop in Lisbon after Ghana, between Sept 13 and 16 and state the costs (See below)

September 7-3: On the Philippines what is the SG's comment and action on that a Philippine senator who has taken refuge in the Senate to avoid an arrest order by President Rodrigo Duterte asked the Supreme Court on Thursday to declare the order illegal and called on the military to defy it?

September 7-5: Again, this is a request that the UN name the member states USG Smale's August 17 letter and you (Dujarric) since have said complained about a “hostile environment” of questions, state what they were referring to. This is not a question about questionable “procedures” but for specifics.

September 6-1: On South Sudan, what is the SG's view of that A military court in South Sudan has ordered the government to give the family of murdered journalist John Gatluak, killed in the Terrain Hotel, 51 cows as compensation? Is that sufficient? Proportionate?

September 6-2: Since the case had and has to do with selling access to the UN and UNGA, what is the SG's comment and response (CEFC audit?) to today's sentencing of Ban Ki-moon's nephew Dennis Bahn after he pleaded guilty to Foreign Corrupt Practices Act charges?

September 6-3: On Yemen, what is the SG's response to that the Yemeni government is considering not extending the UN teams’ missions in the country after they have proven their bias, Yemen’s human rights minister Mohamed Askar said on Thursday.

September 6-4: On Burundi, what is the SG's and separately his part time envoy Michel Kafando's response to the UN Commission of Inquiry on Burundi presenting its report on human rights violations in the country this year and last year in Geneva on 5 September. It denounces the persistence of serious violations and directly implicates President Pierre Nkurunziza for "recurrent calls for hatred and violence.” Please state how much / how many hours or days Kafando has been Actually Employed thus far in 2018, and at what cost.

September 6-5: On Sudan, what is the SG's comment and action on that the SLM-TC Wednesday announced the death of one of its jailed fighters in prison, accusing the Sudanese authorities of refusing him medical care. "Yacoub Mohamed Hassan Deldoum died on Wednesday, the fifth of September 2018 as a result of the denial of treatment and health services by the Sudanese security services," said the SLM-TC spokesperson Nour al-Din Koki.

September 6-6 -- On Uganda, on which you are not answering: What is the SG's comment and action on Mr Museveni saying "Between 1971 and 1979 (Idi Amin dictatorship), there was no parliament... Don't think that you are in heaven; do what took you there. You should know where the power of that parliament comes from... in fact, I can do away with that parliament”? And AGAIN: On Uganda the SG called for police restraint so what is his comment and action on these statements since, by Bobi Wine, who held a press conference today in Washington DC: “They beat me, punched me, and kicked me with their boots. No part of my body was spared. They hit my eyes, mouth and nose. They hit my elbows and my knees. They pulled my manhood and squeezed my testicles while punching me with objects... They started hitting my ankles with pistol butts. I groaned in pain and they ordered me to stop making noise for them. They used something like pliers to pull my ears."I was told that three guns had been assembled and said to have been found in my room! I could not believe that the state would torture a Ugandan so bad and then frame him with possession of guns!"”

September 6-7: I'm informed that when approached by a major democracy the SECRETARIAT's answer has been that my “issue is being treated as one which does not require consultation with Member States as it relates to Security & DPI taking action in pursuit of existing procedures” (which?) and that this is not the only case where restrictions have been placed and in the past other journalists too have been banned. Please explain by what right the Secretariat ignores member states, given the conflicts of interest and needs for recusals timely raised, and state the precedents of other expulsion, on what grounds, with what due process and for what periods of time. Note my September 3 application.

September 6-8: What is the UN's response to the media reporting it is in touch with at least five groups of refugees, who have used smartphones to message about everything from a lack of food, to looters, bomb blasts and attacks by armed men, to how they feel they’ve been abandoned by the United Nations and other international organisations. Many claim they were never registered by the UN – despite regularly asking for it

September 6-9: Given public statements and reports, please state the status of Canada's public offer to base a C-130J cargo plane out of Entebbe, Uganda and why it has not yet taken place.

September 6-10: You declined to answer some of my question about the SG's trip to China including, “Speaking at a joint interview with Chinese correspondents one day before his trip to Beijing for the upcoming summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).” Please provide the transcript or audio or explain why. Please lists attendees. This is in light of Ng Lap Seng and CEFC UN bribery cases. Relately

September 6-11: Please state today whether SG Guterres included the business dealings of his son Pedro Guimarães e Melo De Oliveira Guterres in his non public financial disclosure and whether there are in place any safeguards against conflicts of interest and perception or reality of self-dealing, including whether any recusals have been made.

September 6-12: On DRC, thank you for the Sept 5 response on the ambush but still: what is the SG and separately USG LaCroix' response to “The South African government is opposing UN plans to reduce the Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) because Pretoria fears that could weaken it and make South African and other regional troops more vulnerable to increasingly aggressive rebel forces. “It is my responsibility as minister of defence to ensure no bodybags come back to South Africa,” SA Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula bluntly told the Dirco in-house news agency last week. “We must ensure decisions taken as regards the FIB do not disrupt or disadvantage the force and make sure it doesn’t suffer casualties. By deploying (troops) you are not saying people should go and die'””

September 6-13: With regard to the petition the head of the ICSC making staff sign, as Inner City Press has now exclusively reported, what is the SG's position on this type of coercion? And

How many signatures one would need to clear a perpetrator?

How many signatures are needed to protect victims not only from sexual harassment, but from continuous retaliation and intimidation?

What are the duties of the UN staff during an investigation, are they allowed to harass further the victims and whistle blowers?

Is this how SG Guterres is protecting from victims from retaliation as he promised?

Is this what 'gender equality and empowerment of women" when women are used by those in power to attack the victims further? September 6-14: Inner City Press has (many) more questions, but answer this: On my August 27 question on double dipping of benefits, on August 28 you wrote, "I WILL HAVE A COMMENT LATER ON THIS ISSUE." But still nothing. Adding to my initial question: please address the issue / disparity raised to ICP by whistleblowers, and by the union, about those who have lost their green cards. From within UNDP, an all-staff email referencing Inner City Press' story, leaked to Inner City Press: "From: UNDP Bulletin

Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2018 5:06:13 PM (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)

To: All Staff UNDP Global

Subject: Update on Staff Benefits

Dear Colleagues,

You may have seen a press article published this week which alleges that a number of UNDP staff are improperly receiving benefits related to their expatriate status as internationally recruited staff.

Given our duty of care to staff and to the organization, I would like to take this opportunity to inform you regarding the situation.

Firstly, it is important to recognize that UNDP is a rules-based organization. For the benefit of its stakeholders, its staff, and the people it serves, UNDP recognizes it is of the utmost importance that administrative rules are applied consistently and fairly. In recognition of that principle, and as standard procedure, UNDP regularly screens for compliance with administrative rules.

Secondly, as part of that screening, UNDP had already commissioned an independent review by the UN Secretariat’s Office of Human Resources Management to ensure the fair and consistent application of rules related to eligibility for UNDP headquarters staff who are internationally recruited and receive related entitlements and benefits.

Thirdly, I would like to emphasize that there is no evidence nor any suggestion that any member of UNDP staff has acted inappropriately or dishonestly. OHR, on behalf of UNDP, will continue to ensure that rules and procedures are applied properly and correctly, in this, as in all other cases.

With my best regards,

Michele Candotti

Chief of Staff & Director of the Executive Office."

Please explain why you never answered my question, despite USG Smale's assurance. And response to the whistleblowers pointing out, "Of course they have to say that because so many high level staff are also taking home leave benefits they don't have right to. Many of us hope you won't let this story go. You must press Steiner and the high level ppl listed in that chart you posted to respond to your questions and ask the top man at HR David Bearfield to explain how these ppl take home leave when Staff Rule 4.5 (d) says they can't. This is wrong."

Yes, this is wrong.

September 6-15: Since you have repeated refused to answer simple questions about the costs of the SG's travel, I am request that you today confirm or deny each of these Lisbon stop over, explain why they made sense and how much including in Security they cost the UN and the public:

1/13/2017-1/20/2017 NY->Lisbon->Geneva->Davos Platz->Zurich

2/9/2017-2/20/2017 NY->Istanbul->Riyadh->Dubai->Abu Dhabi->Muscat->Doha->Cairo->Frankfurt->Bonn->Munich->Lisbon

2/24/2017-2/27/2017 NY->Lisbon->Geneva

3/25/2017-3/31/2017 NY->Lisbon->Amman->Baghdad->Arbil->Gaziantep

5/9/2017-5/22/2017 NY->London->Beijing->Strasbourg->Geneva->Lisbon

5/25/2017-5/29/2017 NY->Catania->Lisbon

6/20/2017-6/26/2017 NY->Entebbe->Lisbon

6/27/2017-7/4/2017 NY->Washington DC.->Geneva->Lisbon, (30/06/2017 - 04/07/2017 in Lisbon)

11/3/2017-11/7/2017 NY->Lisbon

2/12/2018-2/19/2018 NY->Kuwait->London->Munich->Lisbon

3/14/2018-3/16/2018 NY->Rome->Lisbon

5/11/2018-5/19/2018 NY->Lisbon->Vienna->Brussels->Washington DC

5/23/2018-5/31/2018 NY->Geneva->Lisbon->Paris->Bamako

7/6/2018-7/11/2018 NY->Lisbon->Addis Ababa->Kinshasa

September 6-16: At the August 27 noon briefing you said I am banned because I was “found in the parking lot.” Since no one spoke to me about this, please state when and where, and explain how that is a violation if non resident correspondents' passes open those doors, unlike the bathrooms on the 4th floor, and how this Trumped up into so serious a violation as to ban me, including from the uncoming UNGA week. Also, again, name the diplomats (and UN staff and journalists) you yesterday publicly said I created a hostile environmental for. Honestly, that was not my intent. But I have a right to know. And it sounds troublingly similar to questioning and critique: free press.

September 6-17: This is again a request to be informed -- including if the question is view as hostile - of the reason on the SG's Public Financial Disclosure page USG Smale is not listed, while Natalia Gherman who was named to her position later than USG Smale is listed and has made public disclosure - and for an explanation why Smale did not recuse herself as was clearly called for from banning me.

September 6-18: I asked more than 48 hours ago, and was told it was soon to be commented on: Please state the Secretariat's and DSG / Development System's knowledge of dual citizen staff getting US Tax reimbursement and also Home Leave and Education grant entitlements using their national/original passport - and what is being done about it.

September 6-19: Given that Deputy Spokesman Haq told IPS “we respect his press rights, but we also want to respect other’s press rights. And some journalists feel their press rights have been impeded by his actions” - state, since this is the basis of me being banned, who these are, and how they feel their press rights have been impeded by my actions. Also all video and other evidence that Haq alluded to to IPS should be produced, today, since it is the basis of my being banned.

September 6-20: What is the SG's comment and action on the “reporter for Buzzfeed News has become the latest foreign journalist to be forced from China, which has a history of retaliating against news organizations and individual journalists for critical coverage. Megha Rajagopalan, who was Buzzfeed News’s China bureau chief, said it was not clear why China’s Foreign Ministry declined to issue her a new journalist visa.reporter for Buzzfeed News has become the latest foreign journalist to be forced from China, which has a history of retaliating against news organizations and individual journalists for critical coverage. Megha Rajagopalan, who was Buzzfeed News’s China bureau chief, said it was not clear why China’s Foreign Ministry declined to issue her a new journalist visa”?

September 6-21: these must be answered August 22-3: On Cameroon, your belated July 11 read out does not answer the questions Inner City Press has asked. Before asking more, there are now broken out by letter for ease of reference and for belated answer today, as well as this:

was DSG Mohammed present at the July 11 meeting? And what is the SG's response to what was said about him in the demonstration by Anglophone Cameroonians in Washington yesterday? How does he respond to their charges of corruption?

a) Cameroon has hired Mercury Public Affairs for $100,000 a month, even as the UN is paying money to the government. Is UN money being used for the mass killing cover up campaign? Are there any safeguards in place?

b) please disclose any and all other meeings the SG has had this year arranged by paid lobbyists.

[responded to Aug 22, but see (d) below: c) what is the SG's comment on the recent announcement of seven arrests for summary executions, and the newer video of Cameroon Army executions that has emerged?

d) Specifically, how are these videos being incorporated into the supposed vetting of Cameroon's contributions to UN Peacekeeping missions?

e) please provide a list and read-out of each of the Secretary General's meetings and communications with Cameroon Ambassador Tommo Monthe during Monthe's time as chair of the Fifth (Budget) Committee.

[semi-answered Aug 22 f) In light of statements at the August 8 noon briefing please state whether envoy Fall even requested to meet with President Paul Biya or whether the UN believes that Biya is once again out of the country, in Geneva. Has the UN ever met with Biya in Geneva? ]

g) I reiterate August 7-1 and 8-1 and 9-1, on this: was the SG or anyone else in the UN aware that this Biya delegation's lobbying trip was stage managed by the DC-based lobbying firm Patton Boggs? Why was this meeting not disclosed at the time? Why is there no photo, even just UN Photo, of it? Where did it take place? Who attended, on each side?

h)Has the Secretariat communicated since with the Biya government? Has it ever communicated with the opposition?

September 6-22: Again, Prashanti Tiwani told a press call that she is shocked by how the UN has treated her. Her letter to the SG is online This is a request for the SG's response, including given his statement about meeting with victims of the UN....

September 6-23: In late August I saw near the UN former Dominican Republic DPR Francis Lorenzo, who pleaded guilty to UN bribery. Please immediately state whether Mr Lorenzo, and separately Mr Carlos Garcia and others implicated in the Ng Lap Seng case, still have access to the UN, including as visitors, and please contrast their right to entry with mine (please define that), and explain. And please describe the UN's allowance of entrance to the WOGC group I have previously asked about, and Secretariat's knowledge of their deal in Kiribati.

September 6-24: Please state how many of the official SG trips paid by the UN have been routed through Lisbon? How much was spent on him and his entourage to divert his travel through Lisbon?

September 6-25: As repeatedly asked, please state where the SG was - in what city - on each of August 18, 19, 20 (all appointments internal) and 21, and costs to the public including security costs.

September 6-26: In last Thursday's 6:15 / 6:30 press conference involving USG Smale, please confirm that a substantial number - state how many - of those in the briefing room were not, in fact, journalists, explain how this was allowed to happen given the stated rules of Smale's own DPI, who allowed or encouraged it and what has been done about it.

September 6-27: In terms of USG Smale's letter banning me for life please state who she says was disparged, when, and in what medium / in person or not. Please provide the UN's version, and any UN video, of the June 19 private use of briefing room for Al Jazeera and critique afterward. Please immediately provide all UN video of the June 22 ouster and July 3 roughing up and ouster, and the names and nationalities of all involved officers.

September 6-28: On August 29 you said “ The process through which accreditation is given and withdrawal is clear, it’s written publicly in the media guidelines. You all agree to the process when you accept your accreditation, which accreditation to any institution is a privilege. Everybody has a right to, to report and to say whatever they, they wish. But the accreditation process is such. It’s very clear... everybody else in this room agree to the accreditation process when you accepted your accreditation, and that process was followed.” State where in the Guidelines there is anythig about parking lot, etc. And that the process has no right to be heard, no appeal - pure unilateral censorship.

September 6-29: Given that the UN accredited me in April 2018 and that most of the "charges" in USG Smale Aug 17 pre-date that, other than Periscoping without escort that MALU told me was not required, what is the basis of my exclusion and the written response to my Sept 3 submission?

Still waiting for answer to July 21-1, regarding location of SG for 2+ weeks "small" vacation, July 21 to present. What are the costs to the UN budget and public of him taking UN Security wherever he goes? Does he reimburse the Organization for that?

USG Smale has claimed that the SG's spokesmen are answering Inner City Press' email questions. This is not the case. And even if these e-mailed questions were all being answered it does not make up for denying Inner City Press the right not only to attend the noon briefing and other press conferences, but the stakeouts at the Security Council and elsewhere, such as the Budget Committee meeting stakeout I was physically ousted from on July 3. It's 72 days of outright censorship, and counting."
Also submitted, to Miroslav Lajcak's spokesman Brenden Varma on the morning of September 13 but not answered even into the afternoon of September 14: "Since I am banned from the briefing for 72nd day in a row I am submitting this question to you in writing. You previously answered: "I discussed your letter with the PGA. Please know that he is personally sympathetic to your situation. He also continues to strongly believe that the UN should be as transparent as possible and that journalists should be able to do their work without hindrance.”

Question: in the past 72 days, particularly since I wrote directly to him, what has the PGA or his team DONE about it? To whom has he spoken, and asked for what? Your cited “deference” need not have meant / mean inaction. So what has been or will be done?

You wrote: “At the same time, our practice here at the UN is for the Secretariat – not the Office of the PGA – to handle matters related to media accreditation and security. In that regard, we will continue to defer to the Secretariat in such areas. The PGA appreciates your interest in and coverage of the General Assembly.” So what is being done so that Inner City Press can cover the General Assembly?

Additionally, I heard you say the PGA's financial disclosure form is been cleared for conflicts of interest. Where is the form? Is it online? Will you send it or any portion of it to Inner City Press? In the spirit of the cited transparency, this is a formal request." We'll have more on this. From September 5: "From last Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, less than a single answer a day to five questions. Aug 22 two for 8. Aug 20? No answers at all. And Aug 23 and Aug 24 - NO answers to 14 questions. While I appreciate and have already use last week's responses on Uganda and Holl Lute (but not Smale), nothing since has come - a full week - this ban is just censorship. September 5-1 -- On Uganda, on which you are not answering: What is the SG's comment and action on Mr Museveni saying "Between 1971 and 1979 (Idi Amin dictatorship), there was no parliament... Don't think that you are in heaven; do what took you there. You should know where the power of that parliament comes from... in fact, I can do away with that parliament”? And AGAIN: On Uganda the SG called for police restraint so what is his comment and action on these statements since, by Bobi Wine:

From September 4: September 4-2: You declined to answer my question about the SG's trip to China, but now I see “Speaking at a joint interview with Chinese correspondents one day before his trip to Beijing for the upcoming summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).” Please provide the transcript or audio or explain why. Please lists attendees. This is in light of Ng Lap Seng and CEFC UN bribery cases. Relately

September 4-3: Please state today whether SG Guterres included the business dealings of his son Pedro Guimarães e Melo De Oliveira Guterres in his non public financial disclosure and whether there are in place any safeguards against conflicts of interest and perception or reality of self-dealing, including whether any recusals have been made.

From August 31: August 31-1: With regard to the petition the head of the ICSC making staff sign, as Inner City Press has now exclusively reported, what is the SG's position on this type of coercion? And
How many signatures one would need to clear a perpetrator?

How many signatures are needed to protect victims not only from sexual harassment, but from continuous retaliation and intimidation?

What are the duties of the UN staff during an investigation, are they allowed to harass further the victims and whistle blowers?

Is this how SG Guterres is protecting from victims from retaliation as he promised?

Is this what 'gender equality and empowerment of women" when women are used by those in power to attack the victims further?


  On August 28 before a noon briefing in which Dujarric dutifully answered China state media about Guterres' trip there while rebuffing Inner City Press' questions about the same trip and whether CEFC's bribery would be raised, Inner City Press submitted 13 questions, including: "August 28-1a: In Libya, what role if any did the UN / SRSG Salame play in the reported ceasefire around Tripoli? What is the SG's comment on it.
August 28-3: I asked more than 24 hours ago, and it seems as soon to be commented on: Please state the Secretariat's and DSG / Development System's knowledge of dual citizen staff getting US Tax reimbursement and also Home Leave and Education grant entitlements using their national/original passport - and what is being done about it.
August 28-9: Last week I saw near the UN former Dominican Republic DPR Francis Lorenzo, who pleaded guilty to UN bribery. Please immediately state whether Mr Lorenzo, and separately Mr Carlos Garcia and others implicated in the Ng Lap Seng case, still have access to the UN, including as visitors, and please contrast their right to entry with mine (please define that), and explain. And please describe the UN's allowance of entrance to the WOGC group I have previously asked about, and Secretariat's knowledge of their deal in Kiribati.

August 28-10: Please state how many of the official SG trips paid by the UN have been routed through Lisbon? How much was spent on him and his entourage to divert his travel through Lisbon?

August 28-11: As repeatedly asked, please state where the SG was - in what city - on each of August 18, 19, 20 (all appointments internal) and 21, and costs to the public including security costs.

August 27-13: In terms of USG Smale's letter banning me for life please state who she says was disparged, when, and in what medium / in person or not. Please provide the UN's version, and any UN video, of the June 19 private use of briefing room for Al Jazeera and critique afterward. Please immediately provide all UN video of the June 22 ouster and July 3 roughing up and ouster, and the names and nationalities of all involved officers." Nothing.

On August 27 Dujarric was asked why Inner City Press is still out, "it doesn't look good" and replied about profanity (which he uses) and something about the parking lot which Inner City Press was never even asked about, Inner City Press submitted 13 questions, too...  including: "Please state the Secretariat's and DSG / Development System's knowledge of dual citizen staff getting US Tax reimbursement and also Home Leave and Education grant entitlements using their national/original passport - and what is being done about it.

August 27-4: Given that Deputy Spokesman Haq told IPS “we respect his press rights, but we also want to respect other’s press rights. And some journalists feel their press rights have been impeded by his actions” - state, since this is the basis of me being banned, who these are, and how they feel their press rights have been impeded by my actions. Also all video and other evidence that Haq alluded to to IPS should be produced, today, since it is the basis of my being banned.

  On August 23, before a noon briefing in which Dujarric was asked if Inner City Press is actually banned for life and said the ban is for UNspecified "behavioral" issues -- reporting on Guterres collusion and coruption on Cameroon, more like it -- Inner City Press submitted ten questions including: "August 23-1: On Zimbabwe, what is the SG's comment and action on “A rights group in Zimbabwe says a critic of President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been charged with criminal nuisance after posting what were considered to be offensive statements about him on Facebook. The organisation Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights says the police have also charged Munyaradzi Shoko with public violence for taking part in an opposition protest last month. The military shot dead six people during the protest”?

August 23-4: Again, Prashanti Tiwani told a press call that she is shocked by how the UN has treated her. Her letter to the SG is online This is a request for the SG's response, including given his statement about meeting with victims of the UN....

August 23-5: What is the SG and separately USG LaCroix' response to “The South African government is opposing UN plans to reduce the Force Intervention Brigade (FIB) in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) because Pretoria fears that could weaken it and make South African and other regional troops more vulnerable to increasingly aggressive rebel forces. “It is my responsibility as minister of defence to ensure no bodybags come back to South Africa,” SA Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula bluntly told the Dirco in-house news agency last week. “We must ensure decisions taken as regards the FIB do not disrupt or disadvantage the force and make sure it doesn’t suffer casualties. By deploying (troops) you are not saying people should go and die'””

August 23-6: Yesterday I saw near the UN former Dominican Reepublic DPR Francis Lorenzo, who pleaded guilty to UN bribery. Please immediately state whether Mr Lorenzo, and separately Mr Carlos Garcia and others implicated in the Ng Lap Seng case, still have access to the UN, including as visitors, and please contrast their right to entry with mine (please define that), and explain.

August 23-8: This is again a request to be informed of the reason on the SG's Public Financial Disclosure page USG Smale is not listed, while Natalia Gherman who was named to her position later than USG Smale is listed and has made public disclosure - and for an explanation why Smale did not recuse herself as was clearly called for from banning me.

August 22-9: please state where the SG was - in what city - on each of August 18, 19, 20 (all appointments internal) and 21, and costs to the public including security costs.

August 23-10: In terms of USG Smale's letter banning me for life please state who she says was disparged, when, and in what medium / in person or not. Please provide the UN's version, and any UN video, of the June 19 private use of briefing room for Al Jazeera and critique afterward. Please immediately provide all UN video of the June 22 ouster and July 3 roughing up and ouster, and the names and nationalities of all involved officers."

From August 22: August 22-1: On Malawi, what is the SG's comment and action on “Malawian opposition activist Manice Dawood is due to appear in court after being detained at the airport in the capital, Lilongwe, on Tuesday.President Peter Mutharika has warned that he has heard enough from his critics and has promised to act”?

August 22-5: Now in light of the allegations of torture of Bobi Wine, and abuse of protesters even acknowledge by government after it was filmed and on social media: August 14-5: Given the UN's partnerships with and presence in Uganda, including Entebbes, what is the SG's comment and action on that two Ugandan journalists, who were arrested following Monday's violence, have been released on a police bond and are alleged to have been tortured by authorities.Herbert Zziwa and Ronald Mwanga were "violently arrested by armed men in military fatigues while reporting live on air"? Also, what does the UN know (and say) about the killing in connection with a political rally of the driver of one of the country’s most charismatic political leaders, Robert Kyagulanyi, who is also a popular musician known as Bobi Wine?

August 22-6: This is again a request to be informed of the reason on the SG's Public Financial Disclosure page USG Smale is not listed, while Natalia Gherman who was named to her position later than USG Smale is listed and has made public disclosure - and for an explanation why Smale did not recuse herself as was clearly called for from banning me.

August 22-7: please state where the SG was - in what city - on each of August 18, 19, 20 (all appointments internal) and 21, and costs to the public including security costs.

August 22-8: What is the SG, and separate USG Smale's, response to getting the UN listed in Press Freedom Tracker . us along with other attacks on the press? https://pressfreedomtracker.us/all-incidents/independent-journalist-matt-lee-forcibly-removed-un-stripped-press-credentials/

Still waiting for answer to July 21-1, regarding location of SG for 2+ weeks "small" vacation, July 21 to present. What are the costs to the UN budget and public of him taking UN Security wherever he goes? Does he reimburse the Organization for that?

USG Smale has claimed that the SG's spokesmen are answering Inner City Press' email questions. This is not the case. And even if these e-mailed questions were all being answered it does not make up for denying Inner City Press the right not only to attend the noon briefing and other press conferences, but the stakeouts at the Security Council and elsewhere, such as the Budget Committee meeting stakeout I was physically ousted from on July 3. It's 50 days of outright censorship, and counting.

On August 20, before a noon briefing in which Dujarric used his chosen interlocutors to recount on camera his time with Kofi Annan (who it is noted did not rough up and ban critical Press as Guterres has), Inner City Press submitted six questions: "Still banned from UN - now it seems, outrageously, for life - for being roughed up while covering the UN Budget Committee meetings I am entitled to cover under MALU Access Guidelines and as applied to all other non resident correspondents) I was belatedly “interviewed” by UN Security in the basement of the UNITAR building on July 10 from 10:45 to 12:05 and *nothing* since. I have questions on that; as I've told you, DPI has not responded to a single one of my seven emails so I am asking you:     

August 20-1: On Chad, what is this SG's comment and action on “Lawyers have gone to court in Chad to challenge a ban on social media and messaging applications on mobile phones, which have been in place since March. They want the two main mobile operators, Airtel and Tigo, to restore access to platforms including Whats App, Messenger, Facebook, Viber and Twitter”?
Representatives of both CNN and Fox asked what the evidence against Inner City Press is - use of garage ramp, on which non resident correspondents' passes work was cited, as well tellingly Inner City Press' Periscope broadcasts, which are critical of Guterres. This is censorship. We'll have more on this. On August 17 four hours before Alison Smale's life time ban letter, for the briefing by Dujarric who has refused to answer direct questions about his role in the roughing up of Inner City Press (see August 17-5, below), Inner City Press submitted five questions: "August 17-1: On Vietnam, what is the SG's comment and action on that a Vietnamese court has convicted Lê Ðình Luong to 20 years in prison and five years probation under vague charges of “attempting to overthrow the people’s administration.”
August 17-2: On Mauritania, what is the SG's comment and action on that Mauritania arrests anti-slavery activist, Biram Dah Abeid, just before the elections. Four men who have been detained for more than a week have all been critical of the government of the country.


August 17-5: Beyond all my unanswered questions about this 45 day ban and no due process review, I am today re-asking what I asked the Spokesman yesterday:

state what you said on June 20 regarding what would be happening to me, and any communications to UN Security you participated in or are aware of that led to Lieutenant Dobbins and four Emergency Response Unit officers who refused to give their names on June 22 forcing me to leave the UN during an event listed in the Media Alert at which the Secretary General gave a speech. I have separate, to me much more troubling, questions about the more violent ouster of July 3 as I staked out the Fifth Committee meeting as I have for ten years, the last two as a non-resident correspondent (thanks to your “lending” out of the briefing room to a subset of correspondents), and about your account of June 19 to the Columbia Journalism Review.

But these are the questions: “state what you said on June 20 regarding what would be happening to me, and any communications to UN Security you participated in or are aware of that led to Lieutenant Dobbins and four Emergency Response Unit officers who refused to give their names on June 22 forcing me to leave the UN during an event listed in the Media Alert at which the Secretary General gave a speech.”

Relatedly, please comment on and acknowledge receipt of this, filed today, here." Dujarric again answered a question why the "investigation" of Inner City Press has been slow walked more than a month by saying ICP will be told the result - without any opportunity to be heard. The UN of Guterres and Smale is corrupt.

From August 16: On the UN Pension Fund, the staff representatives allege that the Fund’s management used a $400,000 contract with a big four consulting firm to then procure an additional $1.8 million of unrelated services, which we understand to be outside UN procurement rules. Unsurprisingly, as the $1.8 million had not been subject to competitive bidding, the consulting firm billed extensively on hours for senior partners. That money was meant for your pension benefit. Neither of the audits were shared with Board members. Further, the Board’s audit committee, which was aware of the audits, chose not to disclose its views on these audits. The Audit Committee also withheld from the Board that the Fund’s management had not accepted recommendations from OIOS that would prevent such events from happening again. “We understand that audit committee members were required to sign a confidentiality agreement, which had the effect of withholding information from fellow board members.” Please confirm or deny that audit committee members were restrained in any way from disclosing information to other board members, and if so, explain. Also confirm or deny that the “Big Four Consulting Firm” is PCW and state how much the UN system has paid PCW in each of the past three (3) years.

August 16-5: While still waiting, after 44 days, to be informed what the UN's charges are against me, on what evidence, I must ask you to confirm receipt of the formal filing sent to SGcentral@un.org, the chef de cabinet, Deputy SG and others - I have asked three times for confirmation of receipt and none has been provided. Here was the filing, asking that you confirm receipt:

REPORT OF PROHIBITED CONDUCT (HARASSMENT, ABUSE OF AUTHORITY) AND ‘FORMAL COMPLAINT’ SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY GENERAL, MR ANTONIO GUTERRES, PURSUANT TO ST/SGB/2008/5." See here.  On August 15 before a short and even emptier briefing by the (briefly) returned lead spokesman / censor Stephane Dujarric, Inner City Press submitted six questions, including: "From Monday not a single one of Inner City Press' five questions were answered, even after re-submitted, nor any of yesterday's six. This ban is just censorship.

August 15-1: On Cameroon - again, and this really must be answered - Inner City Press has obtained a government memo concerning SG Guterres' meeting with them, managed by their lobbyist Squire Patton Boggs, on July 11. This is a(nother) formal request for the UN's read-out of that meeting, including but not limited to any references to the media, “Anglo-Saxon” or otherwise, and any assistance the SG may have offered Cameroon including specifically in countering perceptions.
Now Cameroon has hired Mercury Public Affairs for $100,000 a month, even as the UN is paying money to the government. Is UN money being used for the mass killing cover up campaign? Are there any safeguards in place?

Separately, please disclose any and all other meeings the SG has had this year arranged by paid lobbyists. Also, beyond the many other UNanswered questions, what is the SG's comment on the recent announcement of seven arrests for summary executions, and the newer video of Cameroon Army executions that has emerged? Specifically, how are these videos being incorporated into the supposed vetting of Cameroon's contributions to UN Peacekeeping missions? Again, please provide a list and read-out of each of the Secretary General's meetings and communications with Cameroon Ambassador Tommo Monthe during Monthe's time as chair of the Fifth (Budget) Committee. In light of statements at the August 8 noon briefing please state whether envoy Fall even requested to meet with President Paul Biya or whether the UN believes that Biya is once again out of the country, in Geneva. Has the UN ever met with Biya in Geneva? Also, I reiterate August 7-1 and 8-1 and 9-1, on this: was the SG or anyone else in the UN aware that this Biya delegation's lobbying trip was stage managed by the DC-based lobbying firm Patton Boggs? Why was this meeting not disclosed at the time? Why is there no photo, even just UN Photo, of it? Where did it take place? Who attended, on each side? Has the Secretariat communicated since with the Biya government? Has it ever communicated with the opposition?

August 15-2: On Nigeria, what is the SG -- and specificaly Deputy SG Amina J Mohammed's - comment and action on the journalist Samuel Ogundipe arrested for refusing to reveal the source of a story? Ogundipe works for the Premium Times, which said the offending story related to the siege of the country’s parliament last week by hooded members of the country’s spy agency. The reporters were reportedly picked up by members of the controversial anti-robbery squad Sars, which Mr Osinbajo says is going to be reformed because of allegations of human rights abuses committed by its officers. What is the comment and action of SG and DSG, given her other statements?

August 15-3: Does the SG favor or oppose the lifting of immunity of Diego Palacios for alleged sexual harassment and abuse in India? If he does not favor, why not? Separately, will he lift the immunity of DSS Lt Ronald E. Dobbins and name and remove the immunity of the five DSS officers who did not give their names on July 3 and June 22, 2018?

August 15-4: Follow up on yesterday's Uganda question which you did not answer, now “Uganda's Deputy Prime Minister Moses Ali has told parliament that the opposition MP and musician Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has been flown to a military hospital in Gulu. He was detained along with three other MPs and dozens of his supporters ahead of Wednesday's controversial by-election in Arua. He is due to appear in court in Gulu on Thursday, Mr Ali said. The arrests in Arua followed an attack on President Yoweri Museveni's convoy on Monday. Wine's driver was later shot dead. The by-election is taking place because the previous MP was shot dead.” Again, what is the SG's comment and action?

August 15-5: On Mauritania, what is the SG's comment and action on that “Two journalists have been in detention in Mauritania’s capital Nouakchott and authorities have not given the reasons leading to their arrests. Local media reports indicate that a complaint was lodged against them by a relative of President Ould Abdel Aziz that could have led to their arrest on August 8.”

August 15-6: Today at the UN Delegates Entrance the Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan told me his mission inquired with DPI why I have been banned from the UN (43 days and counting) and was told, as Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press was by your office, that there is a review of my “case” with a result to be announced in coming days.

How can this review not allow me any opportunity to be heard, to know the charges and witnesses? I reiterate my previous requests and specifically ask to be informed how USG Smale can be a part of the review given Inner City Press' reporting on her Town Hall meeting statements that her focus is making the SG look good, and what whistleblower says is the diversion of funds meant for Swahili for this SG / social media campaign.

Still waiting for answer to July 21-1, regarding location of SG for 2+ weeks "small" vacation, July 21 to present. What are the costs to the UN budget and public of him taking UN Security wherever he goes? Does he reimburse the Organization for that?

USG Smale, back from three week vacation, has claimed that the SG's spokesmen are answering Inner City Press' email questions.Even if these e-mailed questions were all being answered it does not make up for denying Inner City Press the right not only to attend the noon briefing and other press conferences, but the stakeouts at the Security Council and elsewhere, such as the Budget Committee meeting stakeout I was physically ousted from on July 3. It's 43 days of outright censorship, and counting."

From August 14, none answered 24 hours later (except trying to palm off the Kankara question only to UN Women) - "August 14-1: On Mali, given the SG's statement yesterday, what is his response to the following from opposition candidate Soumaïla Cissé, “We will no longer accept results that have been fiddled with, we will no longer accept lies, we will no longer accept tampering, we will no longer accept buying of conscience, we say no to the dictatorship of fraud, Mali will not be built on fraud, we will not accept that a Malian president be elected by fraud”? Has the SG spoken to Cisse? Has anyone in the UN system? When? With what read out?

August 14-2: On Burundi, what is the comment and action of the SG and, separately, his envoy Michel Kafando that “The Burundian human rights activist Nestor Nibitanga, former representative of the Burundian association for prisoners’ human right rights, was sentenced on 13 August to five years in prison for "undermining the internal security of the State"? Given that Mr Kafando is paid “when actually employed,” please disclose how much he has been paid, and how many hours put in, year to date 2018, and in 2017.

August 14-3: On Cameroon - again, and this really should be answered - Inner City Press has obtained a government memo concerning SG Guterres' meeting with them, managed by their lobbyist Squire Patton Boggs, on July 11. This is a(nother) formal request for the UN's read-out of that meeting, including but not limited to any references to the media, “Anglo-Saxon” or otherwise, and any assistance the SG may have offered Cameroon including specifically in countering perceptions. Separately, plese disclose any and all other meeings the SG has had this year arranged by paid lobbyists. Also, beyond the many other UNanswered questions, what is the SG's comment on the recent announcement of seven arrests for summary executions, and the newer video of Cameroon Army executions that has emerged? Specifically, how are these videos being incorporated into the supposed vetting of Cameroon's contributions to UN Peacekeeping missions? Again, please provide a list and read-out of each of the Secretary General's meetings and communications with Cameroon Ambassador Tommo Monthe during Monthe's time as chair of the Fifth (Budget) Committee. In light of statements at the August 8 noon briefing please state whether envoy Fall even requested to meet with President Paul Biya or whether the UN believes that Biya is once again out of the country, in Geneva. Has the UN ever met with Biya in Geneva? Also, I reiterate August 7-1 and 8-1 and 9-1, on this: was the SG or anyone else in the UN aware that this Biya delegation's lobbying trip was stage managed by the DC-based lobbying firm Patton Boggs? Why was this meeting not disclosed at the time? Why is there no photo, even just UN Photo, of it? Where did it take place? Who attended, on each side? Has the Secretariat communicated since with the Biya government? Has it ever communicated with the opposition?

August 14-4: On Ravi Karkara and the outstanding questions, what is the SG's response to allegations by a UK MP that he complained of Karkara much earlier that Steve Lee, involving UN HABITAT, and nothing was done?

August 14-5: Given the UN's partnerships with and presence in Uganda, including Entebbe, what is the SG's comment and action on that two Ugandan journalists, who were arrested following Monday's violence, have been released on a police bond and are alleged to have been tortured by authorities.Herbert Zziwa and Ronald Mwanga were "violently arrested by armed men in military fatigues while reporting live on air"? Also, what does the UN know (and say) about the killing in connection with a political rally of the driver of one of the country’s most charismatic political leaders, Robert Kyagulanyi, who is also a popular musician known as Bobi Wine?

August 14-6: Beyond the numerous unanswered questions about due process as I remain banned for the 42nd day in a row after being roughed up and ousted from covering the UN Budget Committee on July 3, this is a re-request the the UN - USG Smale or another if she is, as she should be, recused - answer the questions and issues raised the July 23 letter about my ouster and ban by the Government Accountability Project:

1
July 23, 2018
Alison Smale, Under Secretary General for Global Communications
United Nations
New York, New York
10017
Dear Ms. Smale:
Thank you for your letter of July 19th concerning the actions of the United Nations with respect to Matthew Russell Lee, a US journalist who has been covering the UN since 2006. Unfortunately, it is not possible to determine from your response what guideline or regulation Mr. Lee violated that resulted in his expulsion from the premises.
First, your letter tells us that you consider the withdrawal of Mr. Lee’s accreditation as a resident correspondent closed because the US government was informed of the circumstances concerning this action. Mr. Lee tells GAP that he has not been informed and was not consulted about this decision. Was there some form of due process surrounding the decision to withdraw Mr. Lee’s resident correspondent credentials in 2016, and if so, who participated and of what did it consist?
Second, you explain Mr. Lee’s two expulsions by dispositive statements asserting that he violated the scope of his permissions. Ms. Smale, the operative question is which of the media guidelines did Mr. Lee violate, and what action was in violation of the guidelines? If you cannot identify the specific regulation broken, we cannot address your response. Mr. Lee tells GAP that UN Security officials accused him of exceeding the time limits allowing a non-resident correspondent to access the UN premises, but he presents evidence clearly demonstrating that the meeting he was covering was still in session when he was evicted. According to the guidelines, non-resident correspondents may access the premises for two hours after the adjournment of the event they are covering.
Third, according to your letter, Mr. Lee behaved in a confrontational manner when approached by United Nations Security officials, who were therefore entitled to expel him. However, it was Mr. Lee’s shirt that was torn and it was his laptop that was damaged by the UN officials. Mr. Lee asserts that it was the officials who behaved uncivilly, and the videos he recorded illustrate this fact.
Fourth, your letter informs us that the matter is under review, but prior to the release of conclusions of the review, you inform us of what this exercise will find: “As a result of Mr. Lee’s recent actions in violation of the Media Guidelines and his unacceptable comportment when dealing with United Nations Safety and Security officials, Mr. Lee’s privileges of access to the premises of the United Nations as a non-resident correspondent have been suspended. Those privileges of access will remain suspended pending a review of this matter to determine what further actions, if any, should be taken with respect to such privileges.” In other words, the review is not a process to determine what actually happened on
2
the dates in question. It is instead an exercise to determine what further actions can be taken against Mr. Lee. Our question is, why is this matter under review? Are you not enfranchised to decide what actions shall be taken against a journalist who has violated the terms of his privileges? A more basic question is, why is there no due process to consider a violation and evidence regarding what actually happened in Mr. Lee’s case (and more generally)?
Ms. Smale, if we are allowed to argue this dispute before an objective decision-maker, in reference to specific guidelines, allegations of violations and production of evidence, we can demonstrate that Mr. Lee’s expulsion from UN premises was unprovoked, and most likely retaliatory for articles he has written critical of UN operations. If, however, we are subject to an exchange of letters, in which you respond to us and to Mr. Lee with dispositive statements, without reference to specific guidelines violated or evidence of the violation cited, we cannot prevail.
In short, the United Nations, and in particular your office, is deciding who will be accredited to inform the public about the operations of the United Nations. This practice, in itself, is a violation of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which the UN was established to uphold.
Once again, GAP is requesting information about the specific guidelines that Mr. Lee violated on June 22rd and on July 3rd of this year that caused his eviction from the premises of the UN. And most urgently, we respectfully request immediate access to the premises, so that Mr. Lee can do his job. Today, we are informed that the UN Security Council is meeting about Afghanistan, Lebanon, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Myanmar, and Mr. Lee cannot access any of those meetings or the stakeouts. Please respond by e-mail this afternoon, if possible.
Finally, GAP is aware you are on vacation for three weeks, but response (and full reinstatement) should not and cannot defer to that schedule...
Very truly yours,
Beatrice Edwards
Senior International Policy Analyst
Cc: Officer in Charge, Department of Global Communications
Matthew Russell Lee, Inner City Press
US Senator Patrick Leahy
US Representative Chris Smith
US Representative James McGovern

On August 13 before a noon briefing where  Guterres' Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq faced only four questions, not only of Africa the Continent, Inner City Press submitted five questions: "August 13-1: On Cameroon, Inner City Press has obtained a goverment memo concerning SG Guterres' meeting with them, managed by their lobbyist Squire Patton Boggs, on July 11. This is a(nother) formal request for the UN's read-out of that meeting, including but not limited to any references to the media, “Anglo-Saxon” or otherwise, and any assistance the SG may have offered Cameroon including specifically in countering perceptions. Separately, plese disclose any and all other meeings the SG has had this year arranged by paid lobbyists. Also, beyond the many other UNanswered questions, what is the SG's comment on the recent announcement of seven arrests for summary executions, and the newer video of Cameroon Army executions that has emerged? Specifically, how are these videos being incorporated into the supposed vetting of Cameroon's contributions to UN Peacekeeping missions? Again, please provide a list and read-out of each of the Secretary General's meetings and communications with Cameroon Ambassador Tommo Monthe during Monthe's time as chair of the Fifth (Budget) Committee. In light of statements at the August 8 noon briefing please state whether envoy Fall even requested to meet with President Paul Biya or whether the UN believes that Biya is once again out of the country, in Geneva. Has the UN ever met with Biya in Geneva? Also, I reiterate August 7-1 and 8-1 and 9-1, on this: was the SG or anyone else in the UN aware that this Biya delegation's lobbying trip was stage managed by the DC-based lobbying firm Patton Boggs? Why was this meeting not disclosed at the time? Why is there no photo, even just UN Photo, of it? Where did it take place? Who attended, on each side? Has the Secretariat communicated since with the Biya government? Has it ever communicated with the opposition?

August 13-2: On Yemen, what is the comment of the SG and, separately, his envoy Griffiths on reports that Saudi and Emirati Led Coalition-backed militias actively recruit al-Qaida militants, or those who were recently members, because they’re considered exceptional fighters. One Yemeni commander who was put on the U.S. terrorism list for al-Qaida ties last year continues to receive money from the UAE to run his militia,. Another commander, recently granted $12 million for his fighting force by Yemen’s president, has a known al-Qaida figure as his closest aide. In one case, a tribal mediator who brokered a deal between the Emiratis and al-Qaida even gave the extremists a farewell dinner. What does the UN know / say / do about this?

August 13-3: On impunity and protection of peacekeepers, what the SG's comment and action on the reported application for asylum in Belgium by former Rwandan major Bernard Ntuyahaga found guilty of manslaughter in 2007 over the killing of 10 soldiers with the UN in Rwanda in 1994?

August 13-4: On Bangladesh (and the protection of journalists), having already seen the statement by independent Special Rapporteurs Kaye and others, this is a request for the SG's / Secretariat's comment and action on the imprisonment of photographer Shahidul Alam.

August 13-5: In Fox News' August 11 story http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/08/11/fate-gadfly-journalist-banned-from-un-to-be-decided-by-former-ny-times-bureau-chief.html the SG's Deputy Spokesperson is quoted: “there have been a number of allegations from fellow journalists that Lee has harassed them over the years. 'A lot of journalists have not just been harassed but threatened by him and that’s a problem,' Haq said.”

Without identifying a single one of these "lot of journalists," it seems that the Deputy Spokesperson declares their anonymous allegations to be true: "HAVE not just been harassed but threatened me him." This stands in contrast to the UN not accepting - in the case of Alison Smale and Spokesperson, as least as to SGcentral [at] un.org, the Deputy SG and chief of staff (and her chief of staff), trying to not even acknowledge receiving - Inner City Press' written, on the record allegations complete with exhibits.

The Deputy Spokesperson recently answered one of Inner City Press' written questions, about why Guterres had taken no action on its documented exclusive May 24 report for which it received threats (and subsequent letter to Guterres and Smale) that through presumptive nepotism, management of the UN Security Council's website had been given to John van Rosendaal, the photographer husband of Kyoko Shiotani, the chief of staff of Guterres' Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo, previously US Deputy Ambassador to the UN under Susan Rice and Samantha Power. Haq responded, "If there are allegations of misconduct they should be taken to the internal oversight offices and mechanisms. Unfounded allegations do not constitute a formal complaint."

So how does this same Deputy Spokesman now deem anonymous allegations against Inner City Press not only as formal complaints, but also as true?

This is a formal request to be immediately provided with copies / transcripts / recording of the referenced complaints and an opportunity to be heard thereon, including any Periscope broadcast. Please also explain how USG Smale is not recused from this Kafkaesque “review” which except for a lone interview by DSS on July 10 has provided me no opportunity to be heard or to even know the charges.

Still waiting for answer to July 21-1, regarding location of SG for 2+ weeks "small" vacation, July 21 to present. What are the costs to the UN budget and public of him taking UN Security wherever he goes? Does he reimburse the Organization for that?

USG Smale, also now on three week vacation, has claimed that the SG's spokesmen are answering Inner City Press' email questions. First, for example, none of the four questions submitted yesterday morning, 24 hours ago, has been answered. Second, even if these e-mailed questions were all being answered it does not make up for denying Inner City Press the right not only to attend the noon briefing and other press conferences, but the stakeouts at the Security Council and elsewhere, such as the Budget Committee meeting stakeout I was physically ousted from on July 3. It's 41 days of outright censorship, and counting."  A full 24 hours later, after declining to respond on and to Press questions at the UN Delegates Entrance, Haq said he - and apparently none of the other UN addressees - has receive the questions, despite them being sent from two separate e-mail address. Guterres' and Smale's and Dujarric's Press ban is bogus.

On August 10 before a briefing in which Deputy Farhan Haq said the UN wants investigation which do not involve the parties (unlike Guterres scam review of Inner City Press by the DPI of Alison Smale of whom Inner City Press has complaine),  Inner City Press emailed in five questions, including: "August 10-1: On Cameroon, please provide a list and read-out of each of the Secretary General's meetings and communications with Cameroon Ambassador Tommo Monthe during Monthe's time as chair of the Fifth (Budget) Committee. In light of statements at the August 8 noon briefing please state whether envoy Fall even requested to meet with President Paul Biya or whether the UN believes that Biya is once again out of the country, in Geneva. Has the UN ever met with Biya in Geneva? Also, I reiterate August 7-1 and 8-1 and 9-1, on this: was the SG or anyone else in the UN aware that this Biya delegation's lobbying trip was stage managed by the DC-based lobbying firm Patton Boggs? Why was this meeting not disclosed at the time? Why is there no photo, even just UN Photo, of it? Where did it take place? Who attended, on each side? Has the Secretariat communicated since with the Biya government? Has it ever communicated with the opposition?

August 10-2: Given the multiple sexual harassment allegations against Ravi Karkara, working directly with one of the SG's ASGs, and given the SG's public statement regarding sexual harassment, please immediately state when was Mr. Karakara placed on administrative leave? After the December 2017 incident involving Steve Lee? Why wasn’t Mr. Karakara placed on administrative leave when the investigation began in June 2017? When did the SG become aware of these allegations of sexual harassment and what has he done about them?

August 10-3: What is the SG's comment on this: “A video showing Tanzanian police assaulting a journalist is being widely shared on social media. The 80-second clip shows at least four police officers hitting Silas Mbise, a broadcast journalist with a local radio station, with a wooden club and kicking him until he falls down. The incident happened on Wednesday [Aug 8] in a stadium in the main city of Dar es Salaam after a football match between Tanzania's Simba Sports Club and Ghana’s Asante Kokoto. Mr Mbise says the problem started when police officers tried to stop journalists from entering a post-match press conference, even though they had identity cards. “They were forbidding us from attending when we asked why, they started pushing us. Then I told them to be more professional and allow us do our job, and that’s when they singled me out and started beating me,” Mr Mbise said.”

August 10-4: What is the SG's comment and action on this anti free press (Lusophone) development, that “Mozambique's government is set to introduce hefty license fees for local and foreign journalists in an apparent attempt to discourage reporting from the country. Foreign correspondents will pay $2,500 (£1,900) per trip for media accreditation while foreign correspondents living in Mozambique will be charged $8,300 per year. Mozambican journalists reporting for foreign news outlets will be required to pay $3,500 for an annual accreditation. This is 50 times more than the country’s statutory minimum wage, estimated at around $70 per month. In addition, Mozambican freelancers working for foreign publications will be expected to pay $500 annually. Until now, registration for foreign correspondents in Mozambique has been been almost free.”

August 10-5: Under Article 5.9 of ST/SGB/2008/5, under which concerning my physical ouster and 38 day and counting ban I have filed two formal complaints, the second of which concerning USG DPI Smale and Spokesperson Dujarric the 38-37 floor including SGCentral [at] UN.org has neglected to confirm receipt despite the Deputy Spokesperson's oral confirmation in the August 8 noon briefing, the UN Secretariat is required “to provide continuing support to the aggrieved party at every stage of the process”, regardless of the outcome of the fact-finding investigation. Please explain his / your failure to do so. Beyond the questions - which it seems despite USG DPI Smale's claim to GAP you are hardly answering - I am reiterating my request for “ support to the aggrieved party at every stage of the process.” Please explain why to date the UN is not implementing its mechanisms to address harassment.

I am also hereby formally requesting to be informed, immediately, what I am being “reviewed” for, on what authority, on what charges, with what evidence, and for the SG's comment on how any review can be legitimate if it does not provide the subject an opportunity to be heard (beyond DSS's one interview of me on July 10, only about a portion of the July 3 ouster, not the motive or pre-notification to SG and USG Smale on June 25 and to the latter, in person). Also, state whether this review includes the action (and identifies) of the UN Security assault on me, and the identities of the involved officers who refused to give their names."

From August 9: "August 9-1: On Cameroon in light of statements at yesterday's noon briefing please state whether envoy Fall even requested to meet with President Paul Biya or whether the UN believes that Biya is once again out of the country, in Geneva. Has the UN ever met with Biya in Geneva? I reiterate August 7-1 and 8-1: was the SG or anyone else in the UN aware that this Biya delegation's lobbying trip was stage managed by the DC-based lobbying firm Patton Boggs? Why was this meeting not disclosed at the time? Why is there no photo, even just UN Photo, of it? Where did it take place? Who attended, on each side? Has the Secretariat communicated since with the Biya government? Has it ever communicated with the opposition?

August 9-2: On impunity, what is the SG's comment on this: South Sudan's President Salva Kiir has given a blanket amnesty to rebels, including his rival Riek Machar. A presidential decree, read out on state TV, said President Kiir had granted a general amnesty to "the leader of SPLM-IO [Sudan People's Liberation Movement - in Opposition], Dr Riek Machar Teny, and other estranged groups that waged war against the government of the Republic of South Sudan from 2013 to date".

August 9-3: On Yemen, what is the SG's comment and action on “airstrikes in northern Yemen have targeted a busy market and a bus, killing at least 20 people, including children, and wounding as many as 35. ICRC said a hospital supported by the organisation had received dozens of casualties after the attack at a market in Dahyan in Sa’ada governorate.”

August 9-4: In Tanzania, Esther Matiko, Tarime Urban Legislator, has been arrested by police. What is the SG's comment and action on this?

August 9-5: What is the SG's comment and response to a person being arrested after testifying to the UNHRC? On the case he case of Thirumurugan Gandhi, a May 17 Movement activist who after testifying about the the security forces' Sterlite slaughter, has been arrested in Bangalore. The May 17 Movement has messaged Inner City Press, which has been banned from the UN by Guterres for 37 days and counting, that "Thirumurugan Gandhi has been arrested at the Bangalore airport early morning today. Thirumurugan Gandhi was traveling back from a recent visit to Europe, where he addressed the UNHRC [UN Human Rights Council] meeting in Geneva where he spoke about the recent protest against the sterlite plant in Tuticorin in which 13 people lost their lives in police firing.” This is something on which the UN should have to answer, particularly given his testimony to the UNHRC. So what is the SG doing?

August 9-6: The safety of journalists and the issue of impunity’ (A/C.3/72/L.35/Rev.1) in Paragraph 20 “Requests the Secretary-General to further assist in the implementation of the present resolution and to report to the General Assembly at its seventy-fourth session and to the Human Rights Council at its forty-third session on the safety of journalists, with a special focus on the activities of the network of focal points in addressing the issues of safety of journalists and impunity and taking into account the United Nations Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity and its follow-up."

What is the SG's response to this: The UN Secretariat is not abiding by the UNGA resolution on the Safety of Journalists, which the Secretary General has been requested to assist in implementing (see paragraph 20 of the resolution, excerpt above). This double-standard damages the UN's credibility and ability to deliver on its mandate. What is the SG's response, now after 37 days?

Still waiting for answer to July 21-1, regarding location of SG for 2+ weeks, July 21 to present. What are the costs to the UN budget and public of him taking UN Security wherever he goes? Does he reimburse the Organization for that?

USG Smale, also now on three week vacation, has claimed that the SG's spokesmen are answering Inner City Press' email questions. First, for example, none of the four questions submitted yesterday morning, 24 hours ago, has been answered. Second, even if these e-mailed questions were all being answered it does not make up for denying Inner City Press the right not only to attend the noon briefing and other press conferences, but the stakeouts at the Security Council and elsewhere, such as the Budget Committee meeting stakeout I was physically ousted from on July 3. It's 37 days of outright censorship, and counting."

Inner City Press asked the spokesman for PGA Lajcak, "Hello. Since I am still banned from the UN noon briefing, I am e-mailing you these questions before your August 9 briefing for read-out and answer there:

It is reported that Kenya, Uganda and others are putting forward a proposal for ICC immunity for heads of state. What is the PGA's knowledge of (and position on) this, and is it being made a GA agenda item?

Please provide read-outs of, and who requested, the PGA's meeting today H.E. Kaha Imnadze, Permanent Representative of Georgia to the United Nations

12:20PM H.E. Mr. Wu Haitao, Charge d’Affairs and Deputy-Permanent Representative of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations

16:30PM H.E. Ms. Mariangela Zappla, new Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations." He replied: "On Georgia, they are meeting for personal reasons.

On China, they'll be discussing the high-level meeting on TB

On Italy, the PR is new, hence this courtesy call." Inner City Press followed up: "Well that's fast on that - thanks. I'll ask what I would if was able (not banned) to be there in person:

can you say more what it means " On Georgia, they are meeting for personal reasons." Thanks." Watch this site.

From August 8: "August 8-1: On Cameroon and your belated disclosure this morning of the Secretary General's July 11 meeting, I reiterate yesterday's question: was the SG or anyone else in the UN aware that this Biya delegation's lobbying trip was stage managed by the DC-based lobbying firm Patton Boggs? Why was this meeting not disclosed at the time? Why is there no photo, even just UN Photo, of it? Where did it take place? Who attended, on each side? Has the Secretariat communicated since with the Biya government? Has it ever communicated with the opposition? What is the status of Francois Lounceny Fall's possible trip mentioned at yesterday's noon briefing?

August 8-4: On Zimbabwe, what is the SG's comment and action on that a senior member of Zimbabwe's opposition MDC Alliance, Tendai Biti, has been arrested at the border with Zambia?

August 8-5: Because I have yet to even receipt the requested confirmations of receipt from sgcentral [at] un.org, DSG Amina Mohammed or the chief of staff or her officer in charges, this is a formal request that you confirm that the SG and has received the filing below:

Secretary General and others addressed:

  I asked that, you immediately acknowledge receipt by return e-mail of, and act on, the attached (which is also pasted below for ease of reference),  concerning my now 35 day ban from entering the UN and doing my work as a journalist.
REPORT OF PROHIBITED CONDUCT (HARASSMENT, ABUSE OF AUTHORITY) AND ‘FORMAL COMPLAINT’ SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARY GENERAL, MR ANTONIO GUTERRES, PURSUANT TO ST/SGB/2008/5

From August 7: "August 7-1: On Cameroon beyond the questions you have left unanswered from August 3 and August 6-1, please state if anyone in the UN Secretariat met with a Cameroonian government delegation in the US from July 11 (whcn they met UK Ambassador Pierce) to July 20 and if the UN was aware that this Biya delegation's lobbying trip was stage managed by the DC-based lobbying firm Patton Boggs.

August 7-2: What is the SG's comment on UN peacekeepers who were convicted of killing 11 civilians while “serving” the UN being sentence to only three years imprisonment in DRC, and to criticism that this shows relative impunity for UN Peacekeeper crimes including not only rape but also murder? See, “three-year prison sentences given to Congolese peacekeepers for the murder of eleven civilians in the Central African Republic. The civilians, including women and children, were killed in 2014 following the death of a Congolese peacekeeper during clashes with a local militia. They were taken from the militia leader's house, and their bodies were found later in a mass grave.”

August 7-3: How was the selection process for the Acting Director of UNICRI in Turin done, for which the SG chose Bettina Tucci Bartsiotas “for family reasons”? If as USG Beagle's email, leaked to still-banned Inner City Press says, the Controller position will be advertised despite having Chandramouli Ramanathan as Acting Controller, will the UNICRI position also be advertised? If not, why not?

August 7-4: What is the comment and position of the SG on Simone Gbagbo having been granted an amnesty by Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, given that she was jailed for offenses connected to the violence that killed thousands of people after the elections that brought Ouattara to power in 2010 had also been facing a new trial for crimes against humanity?

August 7-5: What is the SG's comment - and any work done - on Saudi Arabia expelling Canada's Ambassador for raising humn rights?

August 7-6: I am still asking about the review your Office has referred to, in briefing and to Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. If, as has been said, it is a review by DPI, please explain how this is possible given not only that DPI has not spoken to me since July 3, but also that the applicable SG's bulletin confirms in writing DPI's conflict of interest in adjudicating disputes with journalists:

Section 6.2

(a) Promoting public understanding and support for the United Nations by disseminating information to and by organizing activities and events in cooperation with local media, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions and other local partners;

There are other references to DPI's goal of "promoting" the UN. A journalist's role is not to promote support, but to report. So is USG Smale a self-appointed DPI judge who sees fit to discipline journalists, in spite of a clear conflict of mandate and interest? Awaiting your response(s).

Still waiting for answer to July 21-1, regarding location of SG for 2+ weeks, July 21 to present. What are the costs to the UN budget and public of him taking UN Security wherever he goes? Does he reimburse the Organization for that?

USG Smale, also now on three week vacation, has claimed that the SG's spokesmen are answering Inner City Press' email questions. First, for example, none of the four questions submitted yesterday morning, 24 hours ago, has been answered. Second, even if these e-mailed questions were all being answered it does not make up for denying Inner City Press the right not only to attend the noon briefing and other press conferences, but the stakeouts at the Security Council and elsewhere, such as the Budget Committee meeting stakeout I was physically ousted from on July 3. It's 35 days of outright censorship, and counting." Inner City Press also submitted two questions to the spokesperson of the President of the General Assembly - and, before five o'clock, unlike Guterres vast team of stonewallers and censors, he answered one and then the other of them: Inner City Press: ”What was the 10 am meeting with H.E. Mr. Kaha Imnadze, Permanent Representative of Georgia to the United Nations about? Answer: "The PGA met with the Georgian PR at the PR’s request. The PR informed the PGA about the Georgian Government’s new peace initiative, called 'A Step to a Better Future.'" And, after Inner City Press asked a second time for " a comment on Saudi Arabia expelling Canada's Ambassador for raising human rights," this: "For bilateral matters such as those, the PGA would encourage dialogue. That is his consistent position." Why can't Guterres' people answer a single question? Watch this site.

From August 6: "August 6-1: On Cameroon, important and not answered - please immediately confirm and explain: “A 295-strong Cameroonian contingent including four doctors, will be deployed in the intervening weeks to the Central African Republic (CAR).They will be part of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Mission for the Stabilization of CAR (MINUSCA), ministry of Defense sources in Cameroon disclosed on Thursday.” Given not only this military's torching of villages in the Anglophone areas but summary executions, why is the UN accepting this deployment at this time? How much of the money goes to / stays with the Biya government? What vetting has been done? Does the UN know the identity of the Cameroon soldiers recently shown killing women and children? What assurance does the UN have these soldiers will not “serve” the UN in CAR?

August 6-3: Relatedly, please provide an update as of today of the UN's investigation of the circumstances and UN role behind the corpses laid out in front of its base in CAR.
August 6-4: The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press was told on August 3 that the review of mey “case” / being roughed up and banned is nearly done, and that the UN promises that I will get notice of the results in the "coming days." When is that? Also, how is it possible or legitimate to conduct a “review” of me with me only having been spoken / listened to once, by DSS on July 10, only about July 3? 
RCFP was promised a summary of the findings. Please confirm I will receive a summary, and in fact details of this no-due process review.
August 6-5: Because I have yet to even receipt the requested confirmations of receipt from sgcentral [at] un.org, drennan [at] un.org, or the chief of staff or her officer in charges, this is a formal request that you confirm that the SG and USG DSS have received the filings to Guterres / Amina J. Mohammed / Viotti / Eihab Omaish, and separately to USG DSS Drennan." Also to PGA Miroslav Lajcak's spokesman Brenden Varma before the briefing: Hello. Since I am still banned from the UN noon briefing, I am e-mailing you these questions prior to the August 6 briefing for read-out and answer there:
For the PGA's annual leave July 23 to Aug 3, how much if anything did it cost the UN budget (for example, in UN Security costs, estimated) and please state where the PGA went and separately if he had any meeting or conversations including phone or online conversations during the time frame relevant to his role as UN PGA.
What is your Office / Mr Lajcak's response to this?" Update II: The PGA's spokesperson, Brenden Varma, to his credit on this and in contrast to the repeated dodging of Guterres' spokespeople, replied: "Regarding the President’s annual leave, he visited national parks in the United States. There were no costs to the UN. (No UN security, no UN driver.) All costs were covered by him personally. The President was in regular contact with his Office by phone and email. He held no official meetings during this period." Lajcak back in May 2017 told Inner City Press which asked about UN bribery, from Ashe now to Kutesa, There will be no secrets. Watch this site. From August 3:
August 3-2: On DRC, what is the SG's comment and action on this: “Congolese security forces have fired shots to disperse the several thousand followers of opposition leader Moïse Katumbi who are waiting to welcome him as he attempts to cross the border from Zambia. Latest reports indicate that Mr Katumbi is currently at immigration on the Zambian side of border town Kasumbalesa, meanwhile his supporters have gathered on the Congolese side”?

August 3-3: [redacted, for now]

August 3-4: This is a request to belatedly be informed of the name of the UN Security officer who, accompanying Lieutenant Ronald E. Dobbins on 3 July 2018, tore my shirt and twisted my arm. Before I was banned, I was absurdly told to “Ask Security” about being improperly ousted by Security. But USG Drennan has not answered or even acknowledged a letter sent to him (just as USG Smale has not responded to GAP's near immediate reply to her vague, even the promise of emailed answers in which is now being violated). So what is the name of Dobbin's “colleague” on July 3, and unnamed ERU colleagues on June 22?

(and extremely concerned that of 11 questions submitted yesterday and the day before, only half of ONE was responded to)

Still waiting for answer to July 21-1, regarding location of SG. What are t costs to the UN budget and public of him taking UN Security wherever he goes? Does he reimburse the Organization for that?

USG Smale, also now on three week vacation, has claimed that the SG's spokesmen are answering Inner City Press' email questions. First, for example, none of the four questions submitted yesterday morning, 24 hours ago, has been answered. Second, even if these e-mailed questions were all being answered it does not make up for denying Inner City Press the right not only to attend the noon briefing and other press conferences, but the stakeouts at the Security Council and elsewhere, such as the Budget Committee meeting stakeout I was physically ousted from on July 3. It's 31 days of outright censorship, and counting."

From August 2, no response to any for 24 hours: "August 2-1: On Cameroon and refugees from Cameroon in Nigeria, what is the comment, response and action if any of the Secretargy General to the deaths of eight Cameroonian refugees in Ikom, Cross River who died of fumes from a generator in their room? What has the SG done about the conflict and crisis in the Anglophone areas of Cameroon since his visit to Younde in October 2017? What has he done in the last 12 days?

August 2-2: On the ICC, it is reported that “In a letter circulated Wednesday, [Kenya PR] Amayo asked Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to request that the General Assembly put the African request for an advisory opinion on immunity on the agenda of its upcoming session starting in September.” Confirm or deny the SG's office has received the letter, and state what the SG will do, which UN body he may ask to act on it, and when and how.

August 2-3: What is the SG's comment and action on this [WSJ] report from Saudi Arabia that “Those rounded up in recent days include Samar Badawi, who is known for having challenged the kingdom’s male guardianship rules and is the sister of one of Saudi Arabia’s most prominent detainees, liberal blogger Raif Badawi. Ms. Badawi, who was detained Monday in her hometown of Jeddah, had also campaigned for her brother’s release”?

August 2-4: On South Sudan, what is the SG's (and, separately, UNMISS') comment and action on the detention of South Sudanese peace activist Peter Biar Ajak by South Sudan’s National Security Service after his criticism of the direction of the South Sudanese peace process?

August 2-5: While the “investigation” for which I gave an interview to DSS 23 days ago is neither speedy nor transparent (as the SG purported to call for in Cameroon), yesterday I was informed by staff that my photo has been placed in an array that they likened to a “terrorists list.” Given that I was the one assault, while covering the Budget Committee, this is a request to be informed what the procedure is for putting a person in that array, who made the decision in my case, and how it is consistent with due process and the idea of an impartial investigation. 30 days of censorship is (way) too long.

Still waiting for answer to July 21-1, regarding location of SG. What are t costs to the UN budget and public of him taking UN Security wherever he goes? Does he reimburse the Organization for that?

USG Smale, also now on three week vacation, has claimed that the SG's spokesmen are answering Inner City Press' email questions. First, for example, none of the four questions submitted yesterday morning, 24 hours ago, has been answered. Second, even if these e-mailed questions were all being answered it does not make up for denying Inner City Press the right not only to attend the noon briefing and other press conferences, but the stakeouts at the Security Council and elsewhere, such as the Budget Committee meeting stakeout I was physically ousted from on July 3. It's 30 days of outright censorship, and counting... (and extremely concerned that of 5 questions submitted yesterday, only half of ONE was responded to)"

On August 1 before a mere 15 minute briefing by Deputy Farhan Haq - with only six questions asked - Inner City Press e-asked: "August 1-1: As “UN Sex Abuse Scandal” airs today in the UK, please provide the UN's comment on / explanation of this: “Francine, who was 15 when she started working for a UN contractor as a housekeeper. She soon learned that sex was part of the job and she fell pregnant. Francine never reported the abuse, and her son Alberto is now five years old. He has never met his father, who Francine never heard from since.”

August 1-2: On CAR, please provide the UN's account of a reported confrontation between MINUSCA's Milan Trojanovic and local authorities, including concerning the motorcade of the President.

August 1-3: Also on CAR, MINUSCA's Vladimir Monteiro has been quoted, "Of course we will assist national authorities, our police will assist national police with the investigation. The country has its police, but they called they don’t have all the capacity, so we will for sure assist them... We never said if they were journalists or not, we just collected the bodies and took them to the hospital.” Will the UN now confirm that the three were journalists? Why this equivocation? What is the UN doing to help with the investigation?

Update: Haq merely sent what he told TASS in the briefing: "On the CAR question, we have the following from MINUSCA: Yesterday, following several reports, MINUSCA Force found the bodies of three male foreigners with multiple gunshot wounds along with an abandoned vehicle 33km north of Sibut, in Kemo Prefecture. After initially being transported to the MINUSCA Level 1 hospital in Sibut, the bodies have now been transferred by national authorities to one of Bangui’s local hospitals. The circumstances of the incident have not yet been established. National authorities, with MINUSCA’s support, are investigating the case. Today, a team of UN Police travelled to Sibut to support the national police with the investigations."
August 1-4: On retaliation and whistleblowers, provide UN's response to the JUI para 10), the report shows that staff are intimidated by the prospect of retaliation, and that this fear significantly affects the willingness of staff members to report either misconduct or retaliation. Isn’t it likely, then, that all problems and shortcomings reported here are significantly understated, as many staff members report that they fear retaliation for exposing institutional shortcomings to anyone inside the organization? “

August 1-5: On India, what is the SG's comment and action, if any, on this: “Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday informed the Lok Sabha that Rohingya migrants will be deported to Myanmar and asked the State Governments to collect their details and confine them to a single place. “BSF and Assam Rifles guarding international borders have been sensitised to ensure that Rohingyas do not infiltrate the country.”

August 1-6: To be more specific than the entirely unresponded to July 31-4, Given Spokesman Stephane Dujarric's quotes to Columbia Journalism Review that I am uncivil, please state whether it is his position that the Al Jazeera representatives heard anything I said after I entered and closed the door of the focus booth, or if they (and he) only heard what he alleges afterward, on Periscope archive. Also, given his quotes, please explain Dujarric own use of the “F word” in the briefing room, for example here: https://vine.co/v/iPphHdXQxD2 (“Matthew it's f*cking Friday night, I'm so f*cking tired, I want to go home, just leave”).

How can a journalist legitimately be targeted and banned 29 days about counting for using the same word the Spokesperson did, in a more public setting? Where is this investigation?

Still waiting for answer to July 21-1, regarding location of SG. What are t costs to the UN budget and public of him taking UN Security wherever he goes? Does he reimburse the Organization for that?

USG Smale, also now on three week vacation, has claimed that the SG's spokesmen are answering Inner City Press' email questions. First, for example, none of the four questions submitted yesterday morning, 24 hours ago, has been answered. Second, even if these e-mailed questions were all being answered it does not make up for denying Inner City Press the right not only to attend the noon briefing and other press conferences, but the stakeouts at the Security Council and elsewhere, such as the Budget Committee meeting stakeout I was physically ousted from on July 3. It's 29 days of outright censorship, and counting." On July 31 before a delayed UN noon briefing by Guterres' Associate Spokesperson Eri Kaneko, Inner City Press submitted four questions, including: "July 31-1: On sexual abuse, what is the UN's response to the findings in today's UK report? What is the status of each of the 70 accusees listed yesterday, in particularly those involving the 18 underage victims?

July 31-3: On Burkina Faso, what is the SG's / DPA's response to the opposition denouncing the policy of exclusion from the new electoral code adopted for the presidential elections of 2020. Only the Burkinabe national identity card or passport will be the documents authorized for Burkinabè living abroad to register on the electoral register?

July 31-4: Given Spokesman Stephane Dujarric's quotes to Columbia Journalism Review, and the moribund nature of the supposed “investigation,” please describe all instructions given to UN Security, Lt Dobbins and others, after June 19 regarding Inner City Press, and also state whether any personnel of Al Jazeera or [  ] has been interviewed for the investigation.

July 31-5: Relatedly, I am reiterating my request for SG (or now, Dujarric) comment on Macron aide Benalla having reportedly roughed up protesters on May Day in France."
  Guterres' deputy spokesman Farhan Haq, about the UK report which only came out at 7 pm New York time on July 30, merely repeated what he'd said hours before that: non-responsive. He did, however, for the first time admit that Guterres' trips, now to Japan as well, involve UN Security costs paid for by the public. So how much is the public paying for Guterres' many junkets and vacations and pretextual trips to Lisbon? From July 30: "July 30-1: On Cameroon, what the the SG's or his representative Francois Fall's response to the Mayor of Buea saying that a planned meeting of Anglophone leaders to attempt dialogue will not be allowed there? What is DSG Amina J Mohammed's response, since she is reported in charge of environmental issues for the 38th floor, to the Biya government's destructive rubber concessions in Southern Cameroon?

July 30-2: With “UN Sex Abuse Scandal” to which the SG declined to comment set to air in the UK, this is request for comment [embargoed - now see above]

July 30-3: On the elections in Mali, given the SG's statement in advance, what and from where is his comment on the rocket fire and irregularities? In Cambodia, on Hun Sen claiming to win all 125 seats? And in advance on Zimbabwe?

July 30-4: Given that the UN - seemingly only DPI despite my “interview” by DSS 20 days ago - says I am banned pending an investigation of why I covered SG speech on June 22 (ousted) and Budget Committee meetings July 3 (violently ousted and banned since), please explain why dozens of non resident correspondents were allowed to remain in the UN past 7 pm on June 26, 2018 for an irony SG “free press” event that was NOT in the UN Media Alert, and for which no list of attendees could have been provided to UN Security, given that my RSVP was ignored and I was then told by the organizer that no RSVP was necessary? What records has the UN kept about the presence in the UN after 7 pm of (all) non resident correspondents and why am I being denied the ability to ask questions in person like others, for 27 days and counting?

Still waiting for answer to July 21-1, regarding location of SG. On claim of no public costs does that mean no UN Security accompanied the SG? Or that he is personally paying their salaries and accommodations?"

On July 27 Guterres lead spokesman and censor Stephane Dujarric which Inner City Press covered from the bus stop by the Delegates Entrance gate  Inner City Press submitted four questions, which after the briefing Dujarric returned with responses IN CAPS, on which he then refused follow up questions of the type he would have had to respond to if Inner City Press weren't banned from the briefing: "My answers are in CAPS after each question.

July 27-1: Given yesterday's UN Budget Note to Correspondents, please immediately confirm or deny that the amount short, including 2017, is over $1.2 billion and separately that the US account for over 70% as reflected by Status of Contributions print outs provided to Inner City Press by member states who found yesterday's Note to Correspondents misleading at best. THE NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS IN ADDITION TO WHAT WAS SAID AT THE BRIEFING AND AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE CLEAR.

July 27-2: From Burundi, it is reported that earlier this week, Tanzanian authorities including the Kigoma Governor met with Burundian refugees in the Nduta camp and told them that they have to go back to Burundi whether they want to or not. OUR PRINCIPAL POSITION REMAINS THAT REFUGEES SHOULD DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES WHEN TO GO HOME. RETURNS SHOULD ALWAYS BE VOLUNTARY.

July 27-3: In Mali, on 20 July, the Union for the Republic and Democracy (URD) announced the existence of a parallel electoral register that would include nearly 1.2 million fictitious voters, out of 8 million registered voters. What is the UN's comment, including given its MINUSMA mission there? PLEASE CONTACT MINUSMA DIRECTLY.

July 27-4: Yesterday when asked about my “case” or the “investigation” previously described, during which I have been banned from the UN and briefing for 24 days and counting, you said “an issue of press accreditation, and it is being handled by the Department of Public Information.” So who is investigating the actions of UN Security and Lt Dobbins and his colleagues - refusing to give names while ousting me during an event in the Media Alert on June 22, then after I wrote to the SG, USG DPI and others on June 25 and asked both of you, tearing my shift, damaging my laptop and twisting my arms on July 3 as I covered the Fifth Committee meetings that had been advised to me? Can DPI investigate DSS? Why was my only contact to date - in 24 days - a single “interview” by DSS? Where are these discussions with various parts of the UN that you mentioned? When does this outrage end, and who will be held accountable? THE PROCESS IS ONGOING.

Still waiting for answer to July 21-1, regarding location of SG. On claim of no public costs does that mean no UN Security accompanied the SG? Or that he is personally paying their salaries and accommodations? WHEN THE SG IS ON PERSONAL TRAVEL HE PAYS HIS OWN WAY. [So no Security? And how not say were, as Mayor De Blasio does, and Trump does?]

USG Smale, also now on three week vacation, has claimed that the SG's spokesmen are answering Inner City Press' email questions. First, for example, none of the four questions submitted yesterday morning, 24 hours ago, has been answered. Second, even if these e-mailed questions were all being answered it does not make up for denying Inner City Press the right not only to attend the noon briefing and other press conferences, but the stakeouts at the Security Council and elsewhere, such as the Budget Committee meeting stakeout I was physically ousted from on July 3. It's 19 days of outright censorship, and counting. THIS VERY EMAIL PROVES THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS. WHETHER OR NOT YOU FEEL THE ANSWERS ARE SUFFICIENT IS UP TO YOU BUT YOU CAN NOT CLAIM IN ANY WAY THAT WE ARE NOT ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS OR ENGAGING WITH YOU IN REGARDS TO NEWS QUERIES." Well, no. These email answers don't make up for barring Inner City Press from being able to ask questions at the Security Council stakeout - censorship - and being able to ask follow up questions (one of which, on what member states told Inner City Press were misrepresentations in Dujarric's July 26 Note to Correspondents, he refused to answer). So Inner City Press - before it learned Dujarric was heading on vacation like Guterres for two weeks and Alison Smale for three, send him, them, and Smale fill-ins Hua Jiang and Ramu Damodaranthis: "On Fri, Jul 27, 2018 at 12:46 PM, Stephane Dujarric De La Riviere <dujarric[at]un.org> wrote: "YOU CAN NOT CLAIM IN ANY WAY THAT WE ARE NOT ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS OR ENGAGING WITH YOU IN REGARDS TO NEWS QUERIES." 

I have tried to avoid e-mailing follow up questions, in part because they can be evaded or ignored just like the initial questions. But today's first and last responses, particularly together, compel this follow up:

USG Smale, before going on three week vacation with Inner City Press already banned from the UN since it on July 3 covered the Budget Committee in the same way it has for ten years, including the last two as a non-resident correspondent, wrote to the Government Accountability Project that “ the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary General has continued to answer Mr. Lee's questions and requests for information. The United Nations will continue to respect Mr. Lee's ability to freely exercise his journalistic endeavors.”

But not only banning me from asking questions at the the Security Council stakeout but also from the noon briefing where I could ask questions and follow ups in person is no respect for journalistic endeavors.

The example today is the budget shortfall question. After yesterday's Note to Correspondents, Inner City Press was contacted by member states (as well as some UN Staff) who said the Note was misleading. I asked today in writing if “ the amount short, including 2017, is over $1.2 billion” and the question was evaded by simply referring again to the 2018 figure, when it is a biennial budget. If not banned from the briefing, I would have followed up. So I ask you now to comment on the attached print out from the Status of Contributions website: why report on only one of a two year budget?

And on the Burundian refugees, beyond the vague “principal position,” what if anything is the UN doing about it?

As to the “investigation,” it's been three and a half weeks, and I have be contacted once, by DSS. What could possibly take this long to investigate? Was I entitled to cover the Budget Committee meeting of which I was advised? Yes. Was I nevertheless roughed up by Lt Dobbins and his colleague, still UNnamed? Yes. Did I say “I am a journalist”? Yes. Had I informed USG Smale, and the SG and Deputy, that I was targeted by Dobbins on June 22 and to do something? Yes. So why am I still banned, in disrespect, as USG Smale put it, to my journalistic endeavors? As GAP's July 23 letter to USG Smale and the cc-ed Officer(s) in charge put it, "Finally, GAP is aware you are on vacation for three weeks, but response (and full reinstatement) should not and cannot defer to that schedule." Please state any information needed from me to complete this Kafkaesque 'investigation.'" Hours later, no reponse at all. Watch this site.

From July 26: "July 26-1: Given allegations of nepotism and corruption made by UN staff to Inner City Press, please confirm and comment on how John van Rosendaal, the husband of Department of Political Affairs chief of staff Kyoko Shiotani, became a UN P5, how he was given a role in a DPA website, who else works on it, whether it is Dutch funded, and what the SG has done about this since I wrote to sgcentral[at]un.org about it on June 25, after first reporting it in May.

July 26-2: In Kenya, what is the comment and action of the UN/SG and his Resident Coordinator on this: “Kenya's government is violating the rights of nearly people who have been evicted from their homes in the last two weeks to protect a forest and construct a road.... at least 10 000 people were left homeless when they were evicted from Nairobi's Kibera slum where the government plans to build a road. They accused the authorities of going against a court order prohibiting government from evicting residents from the area without a resettlement plan.In western Kenya, at least 7 888 people have been evicted to preserve a critical water catchment area, the Mau Forest Complex, from destruction. Rights groups say the evictions violate the rights of the people affected.”

July 26-3: What is the UN / SG's comment / action on Sierra Leone's warning to media: “Sierra Leone police has warned journalists and media organisations against broadcast of ‘misleading, disrespectful and inciting’ statements, which it says have the potential to cause insecurity, instability and fear in the minds of the people. In a statement issued over the weekend, the police force specifically called out FM 98.1 and AYV television for broadcasts that it says were made against President Julius Maada Bio’s executive orders, the governance transition team report and the controversial of the fuel subsidy that caused the first demonstration in Bio’s presidency. ‘‘In as much as people have the right to discuss issues, yet this should be done within the confines of the law and should be done responsibly and factually,’‘ read part of the statement.”

July 26-4: On UN Sex Abuse, confirm or deny and state what the UN is doing about “11 alleged victims of sexual abuse, four of whom came forward for the first time and seven who MINUSCA confirmed it was aware of and supporting.Of the seven, none said they had received regular, individual counselling and just one of the women – who are now aged between 15 and 23 – said she had received support for school fees... the original investigation into the Dekoa allegations, which began in mid-2016 and was conducted by Gabonese and Burundian investigators together with the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight (OIOS). The probe, which remains unfinished, was supposed to identify victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse. But a former UN investigator with first-hand knowledge of the Dekoa investigation said DNA evidence was mishandled and interviews were conducted in ways that may have jeopardised the wellbeing of victims and adversely impacted their cases.” What is the SG's comment, and action, on this?

 From July 25:  "July 25-2: On Cameroon, now that Prince Zeid has belatedly spoken, what is the SG DOING about Biya's forces' killings? Has he requested that the UNSC, soon to be under the presidency of a country which bragged about its company's natural gas deal with the Biya government, be briefed under Article 99 and if not, why not?

July 25-3: In terms of belatedly nominating a successor for Zeid, please confirm or deny that the SG interviewed Korean FM Kyung Wha Kang for the position, state who else has been interviewed and if not, why not.

July 25-4: In PBS Frontline's “UN Sex Abuse Scandal” 1 hour documentary, please state why the SG, as head of the organization, declined to be interviewed and separately why he put forward part time Jane Holl Lute and not Jane Connors. Also, why was the victim of the Mauritanian contingents not contacted as promised by the UN?

Still waiting for answer to July 21-1, regarding location of SG. On claim of no public costs does that mean no UN Security accompanied the SG? Or that he is personally paying their salaries and accommodations?" Only one, so not listed here, has been responded to. If they have an if-asked, they email it. This is Smale's definition of supporting journalistic endeavors.

From July 24: "In Cameroon what are the UN's / SG's comment on and response to continued and increasing abuses such as this woman's account of being raped by Biya's security forces in Bamenda? https://twitter.com/GilEkane/status/1021509010674147328

July 24-3: What have been the SG's inquiries and actions on the sexual harassment / cover up scandal at UNAIDS, today in light of yesterday's walk out by hundreds of delegates from the opening of the International AIDS Conference o in protest when UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe took the stage. Before the walkout, a group of African women read out a statement in protest against Sidibe’s mishandling of a sexual assault case against his former deputy, Luiz Loures. The women read out a statement calling for Sidibe to step down for what they say was a cover-up then walked out, followed by a large number of delegates. What is the SG doing? Where IS the SG?

July 24-5: What is the UN's / SG's comment on the scandal in France involving Macron aide Benalla posing as a policeman and roughing up protesters on May Day?

   On July 23 Dujarric faced only 5 questions total;  Inner City Press itself submitted five questions only one half of one was answered a day later: "July 23-1: In Cambodia on threat of fines and intimidation for those who boycott Sunday’s general election, what is the SG's comment and action?

July 23-2: In Burundi, journalist Jean Bigirimana has been missing for two years now. He was kidnapped by agents of the National Intelligence Service, and the investigation has led nowhere. What is the comment / action of the UN/ SG / SRSG Kafando on this?

July 23-3: In Comoros there's been an assassination attempt on VP Moustoidrane Abdou days before a referendum on constitutional reform. What is the UN's / SG's comment, and what is the UN's involvement, if any, in elections in Comoros?

July 23-4: Confirm or deny what USG Khare told journalists after a closed-door meeting with the Prime Minister, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda, that “there is no decision yet” following the July 5 resolution by the UN’s 5th Committee which rejected the proposal. “No decision has been taken yet, and all contracts of local and international staff were extended for one year until June 2019.” [Quote confirmed by Haq after Dujarric's briefing. Still unanswered:] Has this extension been done elsewhere in the UN system? Where? Under what authority?

July 23-5: You have said in the noon briefing last week that the UN would respond to the Government Accountability Project's letter to USG Smale. She did, but GAP has today called the response grossly inadequate. Now with Ms Smale off on a three week vacation, this is request for the UN's / SG's response to / comment on GAP's reply, pasted below but also sent the the OIC of DPI, the DSG, etc

  Still waiting for answer to July 21-1, regarding location of SG and public costs.

USG Smale, also now on three week vacation, has claimed that the SG's spokesmen are answering Inner City Press' email questions. First, for example, none of the four questions submitted yesterday morning, 24 hours ago, has been answered. Second, even if these e-mailed questions were all being answered it does not make up for denying Inner City Press the right not only to attend the noon briefing and other press conferences, but the stakeouts at the Security Council and elsewhere, such as the Budget Committee meeting stakeout I was physically ousted from on July 3. It's 19 days of outright censorship, and counting.
July 23, 2017
Alison Smale, Under Secretary General for Global Communications
United Nations
New York, New York
10017
Dear Ms. Smale:
Thank you for your letter of July 19th concerning the actions of the United Nations with respect to
Matthew Russell Lee, a US journalist who has been covering the UN since 2006. Unfortunately, it is not
possible to determine from your response what guideline or regulation Mr. Lee violated that resulted in
his expulsion from the premises.
First, your letter tells us that you consider the withdrawal of Mr. Lee’s accreditation as a resident
correspondent closed because the US government was informed of the circumstances concerning this
action. Mr. Lee tells GAP that he has not been informed and was not consulted about this decision.
Was there some form of due process surrounding the decision to withdraw Mr. Lee’s resident
correspondent credentials in 2016, and if so, who participated and of what did it consist?
Second, you explain Mr. Lee’s two expulsions by dispositive statements asserting that he violated the
scope of his permissions. Ms. Smale, the operative question is which of the media guidelines did Mr.
Lee violate, and what action was in violation of the guidelines? If you cannot identify the specific
regulation broken, we cannot address your response. Mr. Lee tells GAP that UN Security officials
accused him of exceeding the time limits allowing a non-resident correspondent to access the UN
premises, but he presents evidence clearly demonstrating that the meeting he was covering was still in
session when he was evicted. According to the guidelines, non-resident correspondents may access the
premises for two hours after the adjournment of the event they are covering.
Third, according to your letter, Mr. Lee behaved in a confrontational manner when approached by
United Nations Security officials, who were therefore entitled to expel him. However, it was Mr. Lee’s
shirt that was torn and it was his laptop that was damaged by the UN officials. Mr. Lee asserts that it
was the officials who behaved uncivilly, and the videos he recorded illustrate this fact.
Fourth, your letter informs us that the matter is under review, but prior to the release of conclusions of
the review, you inform us of what this exercise will find: “As a result of Mr. Lee’s recent actions in
violation of the Media Guidelines and his unacceptable comportment when dealing with United Nations
Safety and Security officials, Mr. Lee’s privileges of access to the premises of the United Nations as a
non-resident correspondent have been suspended. Those privileges of access will remain suspended
pending a review of this matter to determine what further actions, if any, should be taken with respect
to such privileges.” In other words, the review is not a process to determine what actually happened on the dates in question. It is instead an exercise to determine what further actions can be taken against Mr. Lee. Our question is, why is this matter under review? Are you not enfranchised to decide what actions shall be taken against a journalist who has violated the terms of his privileges? A more basic question is, why is there no due process to consider a violation and evidence regarding what actually
happened in Mr. Lee’s case (and more generally)?
Ms. Smale, if we are allowed to argue this dispute before an objective decision-maker, in reference to
specific guidelines, allegations of violations and production of evidence, we can demonstrate that Mr.
Lee’s expulsion from UN premises was unprovoked, and most likely retaliatory for articles he has written
critical of UN operations. If, however, we are subject to an exchange of letters, in which you respond to
us and to Mr. Lee with dispositive statements, without reference to specific guidelines violated or
evidence of the violation cited, we cannot prevail.
In short, the United Nations, and in particular your office, is deciding who will be accredited to inform
the public about the operations of the United Nations. This practice, in itself, is a violation of Article 19
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which the UN was established to uphold.
Once again, GAP is requesting information about the specific guidelines that Mr. Lee violated on June
22nd and on July 3rd of this year that caused his eviction from the premises of the UN. And most urgently,
we respectfully request immediate access to the premises, so that Mr. Lee can do his job. Today, we are
informed that the UN Security Council is meeting about Afghanistan, Lebanon, Eritrea, Ethiopia and
Myanmar, and Mr. Lee cannot access any of those meetings or the stakeouts. Please respond by e-mail
this afternoon, if possible.
Finally, GAP is aware you are on vacation for three weeks, but response (and full reinstatement) should
not and cannot defer to that schedule...
Cc: Officer in Charge, Department of Global Communications
Matthew Russell Lee, Inner City Press
US Senator Patrick Leahy
US Representative Chris Smith
US Representative James McGovern
David Banisar, Article 19"  Dujarric called on his stooges; we'll have more on that. And still these from July 20, when Guterres refused to answer on his censorship: "July 20-1: On Western Sahara, what is the comment of the SG and separately his envoy / adviser Kohler on “Morocco and the European Union concluded on Thursday negotiations held to renew the 2014 fisheries agreement, a diplomatic source told Yabiladi. The treaty includes the Western Sahara waters.”
July 20-2: Yesterday in SDNY court, Patrick Ho who is charged with using UN NGO CEFC for bribing then PGA Sam Kutesa failed in getting any of the indictement counts against him dismissed, and failed in suppressing or excluding from the case his texts and emails. What is the SG's comment, why hasn't the SG called for or commissioned an OIOS audit as even his predecessor did, and who in the UN system is the UN aware of as being in Ho's seized messages?
July 20-3: Please confirm or deny that “Atul Khare, while meeting with the Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda in Kampala, said evaluations carried out by the UN did not show cause for an urgent move of the base to Kenya as earlier reported.”
July 20-4: What is the SG's comment on the already completed Frontline documentary S36 E11: "UN Sex Abuse Scandal" - “An investigation of sex abuse by United Nations peacekeepers in the world's conflict zones. The film traces allegations from Boston to Congo to the Central African Republic, with firsthand accounts from survivors, witnesses, and officials.”" Nothing. On July 19 when the UN Webcast of which had no audio, nearing the very definition of censorship, Inner City Press asked Haq questions including: "July 19-2: I saw that at the July 18 noon briefing when asked if there is a deadline or timeline to complete this supposed investigation of July 3 (when I was physically roughed up and ousted from covering the 5th Committee meetings as I have the last ten years including the last two as a non resident correspondent, under the MALU Access Guidelines). How is that lack of timelines - 16 days and counting - consistent with your call for “swift and transparent” investigations, for example in Cameroon? What is the timeline? Given that I have not been contacted in 9 days, what is the delay? Why was I not allowed to speak, 9 days ago, about the June 22 ouster and my June 25 email to the SG, USG Smale and others?

July 19-3: Also on Cameroon, you've told me this morning “Regarding your Cameroon questions and the briefing by Mohammed ibn Chambas, please note that Cameroon does not fall under the purview of UNOWA. In his briefing, SRSG Chambas referred to the border demarcation activities of the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission, of which he is Chairman."

But SRSG Chambas told the UNSC, “"The demarcation of the Cameroon-Nigeria border and the pillar construction continue to face challenges due to insecurity in areas affected by the presence of Boko Haram and unrest in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon. Nevertheless, pillar construction is expected to resume at the end of the rainy season." So he referenced “unrest” in Anglophone Cameroon, and expressed an expectation about how it would develop / allow pillar construction. And so again:

What is the basis of the SRSG's “expectation”? Statements by the government of Paul Biya?

Is the problem in the “English speaking regions” one of unrest, or of targeting killings and the burning and looting of villages by Paul Biya's forces?

What inquiry had Chambas or his colleagues in the UN system made into the fate of the 47 people illegally refouled from Nigeria to Cameroon?

July 19-4: Also on transparency, it is reported that “Airbus has signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations.” Please provide a copy of that MOU, and of the Myanmar - Rohingya MOU, or state why and on what basis for a public institution these are not released." Nothing - except these notes, which we publish in full: "**SYRIA

As of today, the entire population of the besieged Syrian towns of Foah and Kafraya has reportedly been evacuated following a local agreement between parties to the conflict. The two towns had been besieged by non-state armed groups since October 2015. The United Nations last provided humanitarian assistance to the besieged areas in September 2017.

An estimated 6,900 people were reportedly escorted by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to the Al-Eiss crossing in southern rural Aleppo Governorate. In addition, 17 medical cases, accompanied by 21 family members, were brought to hospitals in Aleppo city.

The United Nations was not party to the negotiated agreement or its implementation, but stands ready to provide all people in need with humanitarian assistance wherever they are. The United Nations underlines that any evacuation of civilians should be safe, voluntary, well-informed and to a place of their own choosing. All people displaced through such agreements must retain the right of return as soon as the situation allows.

Also today, a United Nations/Syrian Arab Red Crescent inter-agency convoy delivered food, nutrition, health, education, water and other humanitarian supplies for 19,500 people in need to Beit Jan and surrounding areas, in southwest of the Rural Damascus governorate. This is the first humanitarian convoy to reach the formerly besieged area since 2013. In addition, the team conducted a needs assessment during the delivery.

**IRAQ

The World Health Organization announced recently that 38 per cent of health facilities in Iraq supported by nine Health Cluster partners are at risk of closure by the end of July 2018, due to funding shortages, affecting more than 900,000 people.

Health partners urgently require $54 million under the 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan to ensure continuation of health services in conflict-affected and newly accessible areas.

Meanwhile, the Iraq Humanitarian Fund has completed the allocation of some $34 million to support NGOs, UN agencies and Red Cross/Red Crescent partners providing crucial humanitarian assistance in Iraq.

**DSG TRAVEL

 The Deputy Secretary-General will travel to the United Kingdom from 22 to 25 July to participate at the first Global Disability Summit and to engage in high-level meetings on reforms of the United Nations development system.

She will return to New York on Wednesday, 25 July.

**EL SALVADOR

In a statement we issued last night, the Secretary-General welcomed the decision by political parties in El Salvador to establish a negotiating framework to reach medium and long-term agreements for the benefit of the country. He congratulated the members of civil society, constituted in a UN-facilitated Group in Support of Political Dialogue, who have helped bring into being the commitment of political parties.

The Secretary-General hopes that the political parties will now join their efforts in translating their commitment into concrete agreements that will benefit all Salvadorans.

**MIGRATION

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) today welcomed recent actions taken by several European countries to collectively end a standoff on the Mediterranean where some 450 refugees and migrants had been stranded at sea amid a battle over disembarkation.

Since Saturday, the governments of France, Germany, Italy, Malta, Spain and Portugal have agreed to land the ships and share the processing, including any potential asylum claims, of these people.

The High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, said that this sets a positive example of how, by working together, countries can uphold sea rescue and manage borders while simultaneously meeting international asylum obligations.

However, he cautioned, solutions that go beyond piecemeal or “ship-by-ship” arrangements are needed.

You can read more on UNHCR’s website.

**ECOSOC

The Economic and Social Council is holding a high-level policy dialogue with International Financial and Trade Institutions today, focusing on trends in the global economy and international trade in the context of sustainable development.

Representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank Group, the World Trade Organization (WTO), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) offered their projections for economic growth, international trade and other trends and challenges.

And in the afternoon, a thematic discussion on “Leveraging new technologies for the Sustainable Development Goals” will take place.

**HONOUR ROLL

For the Honour Roll, I am delighted to welcome Lithuania to the Honour Roll! Our friends in Vilnius have paid their regular budget dues in full, making Lithuania the 111th Member State to do so.

**PRESS ENCOUNTERS TODAY

This evening, at around 6:30 p.m., there will be stakeout by the President of the Security Council, Ambassador Olof Skoog of Sweden, along with the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council, Ambassador Sebade Toba of Togo, at the Security Council Stakeout.

They will brief in their capacity as Co-Chairs of the 12th Annual Joint Consultative Meeting between the members of the Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council, following the conclusion of the meeting." Inner City Press will, of course, be banned from that as well. Thanks, Guterres, Smale and Sweden.... From the July 18 questions Inner City Press submitted, UNanswered like those below: "Is the Secretary General meeting today with the Club of Madrid or any of its members? If so, why is this not in his public schedule? And please list the purposes and issues of his most recent two meetings involving the Club of Madrid... Regarding the next Administrative Instruction ST/AI/2018/8 signed on July 9 by USG Beagle https://undocs.org/ST/AI/2018/8 about the use of force by UN Security, please explain the meaning of “Security officers are expected to exercise their functions with courtesy and in co nformity with established rules and regulations, including applicable local law.” Since NYPD officers are required to give their names, does this mean that the UN ERU officers who refused to give their names on June 22, and Lt Dobbins who told them not to give there names, do not comply with this?" What is the UN deciding on - suspending Lt Dobbins and the other rogue officer who tore Inner City Press' shirt and twisted its reporter's arm for covering Guterres' $6.7 billion budget committee meeting?

From the day before: "July 17-1: Confirm or deny that the Indian army unit based in Uri that was struck and struck Kashmir is no longer being deployed to MONUSCO, and the UN's reasoning.

July 17-2: Relatedly, please provide an update on the (second tier of) vetting of Sri Lanka troops whose deployment was reportedly deployed.

July 17-3: “Egypt's parliament has approved a tough new law to regulate social media, raising fears that it could curb dissent against President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi's regime. The law states that social media users who have more than 5,000 followers could be placed under the supervision of Egypt's Supreme Council for Media Regulations. The council would be authorised to suspend or block any personal account which "publishes or broadcasts fake news” - what is the comment of the SG / UN?

July 17-4: What is the SG's or UN's comment on the physical removal of journalist Sam Husseini from yesterday's US-Russia press conference in Helsinki?

July 17-5: Since you and USG Smale have refused to answer Inner City Press' questions on why it remains banned, and unable to attend and ask questions at the noon briefing and elsewhere in the UN (and even to WIPO in the Pierre Hotel), please provide the UN's responses on deadline to the letter to USG Smale and others (including chief of staff Viotti and ASG Christian Saunders) from the Government Accountability Project." No answers, repeat questioners, only one to PGA Lajcak's spokesman. On July 16, Inner City Press submitted seven questions, only one of which, on Haiti, was even partially answered, on this web site. The July 16 questions: "Still banned from UN, for being roughed up while covering the UN Budget Committee meetings I am entitled to cover under MALU Access Guidelines and as applied to all other non resident correspondents) I was belatedly “interviewed” by UN Security in the basement of the UNITAR building on July 10 from 10:45 to 12:05 and *nothing* since. I have questions on that; as I've told you, DPI has not responded to a single one of my seven emails so I am asking you:

July 16-1: On Cameroon, Inner City Press is still awaiting your response to question I posed two days ago: there are new leaked videos of abuse by Cameroon security forces. Since there's not yet even a promise of self-investigation, what is the UN's comment?

July 16-2: Given your belated call last week for a “swift and transparent” investigation of the earlier verified footage, please live up to “swift and transparent” -

how long can an investigation (of me being roughed up and wrongfully ousted from covering Budget Committee meeting on July 3) take? It's been 13 (or at least 11) days.

On transparency, again, WHO decided, between July 3 and July 5 945 am, to ban me? And on what basis?

July 16-3: Thousands took part yesterday in Rabat in a march called by Human rights associations and unions to call for the liberation of the “Hirak El Rif” detainees and answer the socioeconomic requests of the inhabitants of Al Hoceima. For the upteenth time, what is the UN's comment on this ongoing unrest and injustice, given the SG's “conflict prevention” and human rights claims?

July 16-4: In DRC President Joseph Kabila replaced the country´s army chief in a military shake-up at the weekend that included the promotion of two leaders accused of human rights violations. what is the UN's comment on this ongoing unrest and injustice, given the SG's “conflict prevention” and human rights claims?

July 16-5: In a letter to the UN, Turkish-Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has called for a reassessment of the UN peacekeeping force’s (UNFICYP) mandate on the island. What is the SG's thinking / response?

July 16-6: Haitian Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant resigned, after civilians were killed protesting fuel price subsidy cuts. Again, that is the comment of UNSG and the UN Mission, given what the UN has done there including by introducing cholera and not paying reparations of any kind?" No answers. On June 13 another empty briefing, after which Haq answered only one of the questions, which included: "Still banned from UN, I was belatedly “interviewed” by UN Security in the basement of the UNITAR building on July 10 from 10:45 to 12:05. I have two more questions on that; as I've told you, DPI has not responded to a single one of my seven emails so I am asking you:

1) who is responsible for deciding, between 10 pm July 3 when I was assaulted by UN DSS Lt Dobbins and another UNnamed, and 10 am on July 5, that I was and am banned from entering the UN? Who participated in this decision?

2) Your office yesterday told The Independent (UK) that “a review ha[s] been launched into the manner in which Mr Lee had been removed and his future accreditation.” How my accreditation should suffer for having been assaulted by Lt Dobbins and unnamed colleagues, for the second time in 11 days, is a mystery or worse. But please state how it is possible for DSS to investigate itself in this matter. What provisions does the UN have when abuse BY UN Security officers is alleged, and how does it impact for example their New York and other gun permits?

July 13-1: Two full days ago I asked your Office about the video of Cameroon soldiers executing women and infants. You have still not answered. Now that Amnesty International has verified the video, what has the UN done about it? What will the UN do? Relatedly, what is the UN's comment on “Cameroon's President Paul Biya has announced that he will be a candidate in the 7 October presidential election that would, if he wins, extend his 35-year-rule. Biya tweeted 'I am willing to respond positively to your overwhelming calls. I will stand as your candidate in the upcoming presidential election'”

UPDATE: After the briefing, Haq sent Inner City Press this: "On Cameroon, we can say the following now: We are aware of the video circulating on social media and welcome the announcement by the Government of Cameroon to open an investigation into the matter. We urge the Government to swiftly and transparently conduct the announced investigation." While different in kind, this echoes UN Security "investigating" its own personnel's assault on the Press. It is a bad joke.

July 13-2: Saudi King Salman has ‘pre-exonerated’ all troops fighting in Yemen from any accountability issues they may face over their conduct in the war, in which thousands of civilians have been killed and wounded. A statement announcing the early pardon, released by Saudi Arabia's state news agency SPA, said the pardon extends to “all military men across the armed forces” taking part in Operation Restoring Hope.” Given that the SG accepted Saudi's $930 Million check, what is his comment?

July 13-3: In Spain El Pais reports that Equatorial Guinea protects President Teodoro Obiang from coups by hiring combat pilots and commanders of warships from Russia, Ukraine and Lithuania in a "flagrant regime of illegality" and violating international regulations, according to a report of the Spanish police. What is the UN's comment and action?

July 13-4: Before being ousted and now banned, I had asked at the noon briefing about the status / absence of USG Heidi Mendoza from OIOS. While that was not answered, having now learned more, this is a written request that you confirm that USG Mendoza has been on leave for approximate six months, that you state (as I requested) who is the Officer in Charge, that you state the current role in OIOS of Michael Dudley, and that you provide the SGs comments on and response to the decision in [ ]

July 13-5: With the Fifth Committee's rejection of SG Guterres' GSDM proposal in the process from which I was ousted and banned from covering, what is SG Guterres' plan? Relately, on the “reconfiguring of the development system,” how much money has been raised and when will SG Guterres file the required Program Budget Implication?" No answers. But a tape recorder holder for a Japanese media that reports more, in a racist fashion, on US rappers finally asked a (lame) question. We'll have more on this. On July 9, while Haq claimed that this one-way assault was an "altercation" justifying the ban of the journalist improperly ousted and assaulted, Haq did not by 1 pm answer a single one of these questions then making him one for six and trying to keep Inner City Press out from Guterres' long delayed July 12 press conference (a subsequent answer, published in full below, claims that Guterres is committed to press freedom in Myanmar and Sudan). Later on July 9, Haq belatedly answered Inner City Press' July 6 question about Canada in Mali, below, with this: "Regarding your earlier question on Mali, we have the following to say: We can confirm that an advance party of 25 Canadian military troops have so far been deployed to MINUSMA as part of the 136-strong aviation unit to be deployed to UN peacekeeping by the Government of Canada, according to our memorandum of understanding (MOU) with this troop-contributing country. Canada has not submitted any nominations for Police contingent members to MINUSMA to date." No police, 25 out of 136. The July 9 questions: "Since I am still, for a third business day, banned from the UN without due process (see below), here are three question for answer before or at the noon briefing:

July 9-1: In South Sudan, the opposition has reportedly rejected a peace plan under which Riek Machar would be reinstated as vice president. What is the SG's (and separately UNMISS') comment and role if any in the process?

July 9-2: What is the Secretary General's response to the demand by Transparency International and others that its MOU on the return of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh to Myanmar be made public? And please explain what part of Bangladesh's plan for a distant island for Rohingya the SG finds or found interesting. And what is the SG's comment (and action) on the charged now announced by Myanmar against journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo?

July 9-3: “Sudan’s National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on Sunday seized copies of Al-Jareeda and Akhir Lahza newspapers without stating reasons” -- what is the SG's comment, and separately his country team's action?

On the “ban” -- Fox News reported this ban is pending a review. I have not been contacted concerning any review. Despite DSS and DPI not have spokespeople, on July 6 I was told to contact them. I wrote to DPI's USG Smale, again - without any response. So I ask again: who is conducting the review your Office told Fox News about? When does it end? How does it not involve Inner City Press, which is now banned for a third business day?

What is the Secretariat's comment on/ response to this?

July 6, 2018, “Harassment of US Journalist Intensifies at the UN,” https://www.whistleblower.org/blog/103306-harassment-us-journalist-intensifies-un

To whom in the UN do I submit my evidence for this “review”?" After 1 pm, Haq replied with this: "Regarding South Sudan, the UN Mission in South Sudan welcomes the apparent progress being made in the peace process as talks between the South Sudanese parties continue in Khartoum. It is encouraging that there appears to be fresh momentum and that all the various stakeholders are actively engaged in the discussions. The Mission also acknowledges and appreciates the strong lead role of sub-regional actors in facilitating the discussions.

On Myanmar, we remain concerned at the arrest and continued detention of Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo.  The Secretary-General has repeatedly urged  for the release of the journalists and for the authorities to respect the right to freedom of expression and information.  We will continue to raise the issue as a high priority at every possible opportunity.

On Sudan, we continue to call for freedom of expression, including the rights of the media." Oh really. On July 6, when Inner City Press went to the gate to ask politely if it could as before enter to attend the noon briefing and ask questions, it was told "No." Inner City Press reiterated its concern about censorship to Darrin Farrant, a staff member of Alison Smale of DPI who has not answered Inner City Press' six emails and petition; he said he would pass the concern along. We are waiting, in the rain, for an answer. At the day's noon briefing, the UN's deputy spokesman Farhan Haq took questions from France 24, Moroccan state media, Reuters and quickly turned over the podium to the PGA's spokesman. Inner City Press had asked Haq: "Since Inner City Press' six inquiries with the head of DPI Alison Smale have gone unanswered, and I am as you know banned from entering the building, who are you telling me to contact in Security and DPI? Aren't you the spokesperson for the Secretariat? Need answer immediately. For now, for noon, three questions:

In Tanzania, Julius Mtatiro asenior leader of a Tanzanian opposition party has been arrested for insulting President John Magufuli by asking“Who is the President, really?” Police detained him “as they found this phrase offensive to the president. They went on to search Mr Mtatiro’s home for the device used to post on social media.” What is the Secretary General's comment - and his / Country Team's action?

It is reported that Canada will deploy up to 20 civilian police officers to support both the United Nations peacekeeping mission and the EU training mission in Mali. So, will they be part of MINUSMA? How many Canadian personnel are currently part of MINUSMA, and what is the plan and timetable for additional Canadian joining of MINUSMA? Will Canadian troops have different (and significantly, better) security equipment that other countries' troops in MINUSMA?

On the deadly class between DRC's and Uganda's militaries on Lake Edward, what is the SG's comment and what is MONUSCO's action?" So far, even after the briefing, only this: "Regarding your question on Lake Edward, there is no comment or response from MONUSCO." We'll have more on this.

Haq told Fox News "Matthew Lee [i]s a repeat offender, having been similarly removed from the building on 22 June 2018, Matthew Lee has been temporarily barred from the premises pending a full review of this incident." There is no offense by Inner City Press: the rules permit Inner City Press to cover meetings after 7 pm, on June 22 a speech by Secretary General Antonio Guterres and on July 3 a meeting about Guterres' $6.7 billion budget. So since no one from the UN contacted Inner City Press on July 5 about any review, Inner City Press wrote to Haq and his boss Stephane Dujarric (out of the office again). Haq replied, "Receipt is confirmed. For questions about security issues, you will need to be in touch with security and with DPI." But neither Department has a spokesperson - Haq is the spokesperson for the Secretariat -- and Inner City Press has written six times to the head of DPI without a single response. The head of DPI ordered an investigation of him own staff after Inner City Press published a leaked email about him "burying" a threat to another UN system official, Irina Bokova (who may, some say, become High Commissioner for Human Rights). So Haq's "answer" is Orwellian. We will have more on this. Guterres was informed on June 25 by Inner City Press of the escalating targeting by his UN Security Lieutenant Ronald E. Dobbins. In fact, Guterres deputy spokesman Farhan Haq on July 3 essentially gave the green light for that evening's Security violence. On July 5, Guterres' lead spokesman Stephane Dujarric refused to answer press questions about the ouster before "his" noon briefing. Afterward, when Saunders sauntered out of the UN in black sunglasses and was informed that Inner City Press was now banned, his response was to complain about some of the written coverage of him. Video here. So is that why he cheered on the twisting of the Press' arm? Will this obviously biased official be witness in the "full review of the incident" pending which Inner City Press is indefinitely banned? Brenden Varma the Spokesperson for the President of the General Assembly Miroslav Lajcak (whose chief of staff and under-staffer were also informed of the Press ban) said, as his office summarized, "This afternoon at 3:00, the General Assembly’s Fifth Committee, which handles administrative and budgetary matters, will formally take action on all outstanding issues, including United Nations peacekeeping budgets and the Secretary-General’s management reform and peace and security architecture reform proposals.
It will then close the second part of its resumed session.
Following that, the General Assembly plenary will meet to consider the report of the Fifth Committee." Inner City Press was banned from this meeting and vote. While the UN has told Inner City Press nothing, Guterres spokesman Farhan Haq told FOX News' Adam Shaw that "security followed up, they found Matthew Lee to be in the building past 9 p.m., well after the hours for a non-resident correspondent, and they informed him that he was not allowed to roam around the UN compound at that hour. They informed him that he would be required to leave the premises. At that point, Mr. Lee became loud and belligerent, and resisted the instructions of UN security officers. He was then escorted outside the building, along with his laptop and backpack. Based on his unacceptable behavior, and the fact that he was a repeat offender, having been similarly removed from the building on 22 June 2018, Matthew Lee has been temporarily barred from the premises pending a full review of this incident." But Inner City Press has not been contacted for any review, which would have to include UN Security twisting its reporter's arm before any volume, and the MALU rule permitted coverage of meetings after 7 pm, and for an hour after then end. This was pure targeting, and Guterres and his team are responsible.  Eleven days after UN Security officers led by UN Lieutenant Ronald E. Dobbin and four others who refused to give their names pushed Inner City Press' reporter out of the UN during a speech by Secretary General Antonio Guterres, on July 3 just after Inner City Press interviewed the chairman of the UN Budget Committee, Dobbins and another UN Security officer even more physically removed Inner City Press from the UN. Video here, tweeted here. Hours later as diplomats and Guterres officials who witnessed it left the UN, Inner City Press asked Guterres' Under Secretary General for Field Support Atul Khare about the process. He admitted, contrary to Guterres' spokesman, that the Support Account was still not agreed. Shown the shirt that UN Security officers Dobbins and his thus far UNnamed partner tore, he said, "I'll talk to DPI." While appreciated, Inner City Press already six times wrote to DPI's Alison Smale, and last week spoke directly to her and her piano playing husband Sergei Dreznin at the End of UNSC Presidency reception. Inner City Press told Smale, and an hour later emailed her, that her continued disparate treatment of active Inner City Press as a non - resident correspondent would allow further targeting like that of Lieutenant Dobbins and four unnamed Emergency Response Unit officers on June 22. Smale didn't even confirm receipt of the email as requested. And on July 3 a new officer got involved as Inner City Press covered the UN budget, breaking Inner City Press' laptop, tearing its shirt and twisting its arm. Smale and Guterres are responsible. This all happened as Inner City Press was actively writing about the UN's murky $6.7 billion peacekeeping budget and questionable reforms by Guterres. It happened directly in front of, and ultimately at the order of, a Guterres Assistant Secretary General, Christian Saunders. A number of diplomats stood and took pictures and videos. Here as the interview, pre-ouster, with the Budget Committee chairman Tommo Monthe of Cameroon, video here. Guterres' spokesman Farhan on both July 2 and July 3 insisted to Inner City Press that the budget was agreed to in a closed session on Sunay, when clearly it has not been approved. While we will have more on the other UN Security Officer, Inner City Press has previously reported on issues with Saunders, from education to the cover up of sexual harassment and abuse in the UN. The fact that Antonio Guterres allows this to go on in his UN should disqualify him. The UN had at least 11 days to deal with this - Inner City Press repeatedly at the noon briefing asked about the rules, and the budget - and this was their response. Significantly, on July 3 the Government Accountability Project has criticized the ouster and called for Inner City Press to be reinstated as a UN Resident Correspondent. Inner City Press asked Guterres' Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq, video here, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: I'd asked you, a week ago, about the UN policy of UN security ousting the non-resident correspondent during a meeting to be covered and refusing to give their names, and now the Government Accountability Project has asked the same question.  So I'm wondering, you didn't ask me when I answered it [sic], what is the policy of the UN on something as fundamental as security officers giving their names, and also can they oust journalists during a meeting such as a budget meeting that will be upcoming, I would believe, in upcoming days?

Deputy Spokesman:  As far as I'm aware, the security officers were enforcing the appropriate rules.  Any problems that you have with them are questions that you need to address with our colleagues in UN security and with Media Accreditation." But as GAP notes, the boss of Media Accreditation Alison Smale has refused to answer anything in eight months. GAP writes: "as security expelled Mr. Lee from the building, he encountered Catherine Pollard, the UN’s Under-Secretary General (USG) for General Assembly and Conference Management, who pointedly ignored his plight and simply stayed her course, despite his plea for her intervention. Along the way, Mr. Lee also asked the guards for their names, which they refused to provide. This most recent incident is the latest in a long history of harassment directed at a journalist who has been critical of UN management and operations over the years. Mr. Lee’s investigative reporting has broken stories concerning sexual abuses committed by peacekeepers in Africa, the role of UN peacekeepers in bringing cholera to Haiti, and war crimes in Sri Lanka, Burundi and Sudan [and Cameroon]. Mr. Lee’s reporting has also helped to expose corruption at the Headquarters of the United Nations, including the current bribery scandals surrounding former General Assembly President [Sam Kutesa and] John Ashe."

  In the eleven days since the ouster, live-streamed on Periscope and then put on YouTube, the UN of Antonio Guterres has not responded in any way. Inner City Press was first told to "Ask Security" then to "Ask DPI" or as it now absurdly wants to be known, the UN Department of Global Communications. But as GAP continues, "Like USG Pollard, the Under-Secretary for Global Communications, Alison Smale, seems deaf to Mr. Lee’s distress; she has refused for eight months to answer e-mails or respond to a petition to restore his credentials as a resident correspondent." Inner City Press since the ouster has raised it to Smale not only in writing (again) but also in person - with no response. Global Communications, indeed. GAP concludes: The Government Accountability Project therefore urges the Member States of the United Nations to combat the silencing of a journalist by taking action at the offices of the self-appointed guardian of free speech, itself: the United Nations. Matthew Lee should be: Reinstated as a resident correspondent with appropriate access to facilities and events, and Issued a public apology for the improper expulsion that occurred on June 22nd." To Inner City Press, it is the first of these, restoration to its long time work space S-303 which sits empty every day, assigned to an Egypt state media Akhbar al Yom whose Sanaa Youssef, while a former president of the UN Correspondents Association (1984) has not asked the UN  a question in a decade. As to apologies from today's UN, the disingenuous apology in Haiti for example shows how much those are worth. We'll have more on this. Guterres' lead spokesman Stephane Dujarric evaded Inner City Press' questions then ran off the podium. Video here. Despite the fact that Guterres' armed guards ousted Inner City Press and that the UN Department of Public Information under Alison Smale did nothing, Dujarric babbled that Inner City Press should "ask DPI" then ran off the podium. Video here. From the UN (controlled) transcript: Inner City Press: Farhan [Haq], on Monday, when I informed him that on Friday I had been, during an event in which the Secretary-General was giving a speech, made to leave by UN Security while other non-resident correspondents, a distinction you just cited, were still in attendance, he said to talk to security.  And that seems strange to me, because it seems to me that the Secretariat, like civilian…

Spokesman:  I think if there are any issues that you have…

Inner City Press: My issue…

Spokesman:  If you have any issues with your access, you should take them up with DPI [Department of Public Information] and the people who actually issue the accreditation.

Inner City Press:  They came… they came and they said there was nothing they could do…

Spokesman:  "Thank you very much.  Brenden." The UN transcript omitted the audible question, "So can Security just at will bar journalists?" Video here. The UN of Guterres, Dujarric and Smale is a place of corruption and censorship, and self-serving erasure even of the questions asked, with the public's money. The day before, after cutting off Inner City Press' question about protests of Guterres' inaction on sexual harassment cover-ups at UNAIDS, Dujarric called on a correspondent for a London-based Arabic daily. Then he called on that same correspondent again before returning to Inner City Press. Sensing this second round might be cut off, Inner City Press began asking about Guterres inaction on Cameroon then on his Security's ouster of the Press which asks. But Dujarric after evading the Cameroon question turned to Al Jazeera which asked what even it called a light question about the French label pin on Dujarric's sear-sucker jacket. Then Dujarric simply left the room, so that Inner City Press' question about Guterres' use of his Security to target the Press could not be asked. On June 22 Inner City Press was live-streaming Periscope and preparing to write about Secretary General Antonio Guterres' claims about his visit to Mali, where he didn't even inquire into a recent case child rape by a UN Peacekeeper. With the event still ongoing, Inner City Press was approached by Lieutenant Dobbins and told that since it was just past 7 pm it had to leave the building. Video here.

 That is not the rule, nor the practice. But Inner City Press under Guterres and his head of Global Communications Alison Smale has inexplicable been at the "non-resident correspondent" level lowered from that of no-show state media like Akbhar al Yom's Sanaa Youssef, assigned Inner City Press' long time office despite rarely coming in and not asking a question in ten years.

  While Guterres and Smale have created and encourage the atmosphere for targeting the Press, Dobbins had and has his own reasons. Inner City Press previously exclusively reported on fraudulent promotions in the UN Department of Safety and Security, beginning of series here with a leaked document with Dobbins own name on it, under the heading "Possible Promotions... if Dobbins does not want Canine / ERU." Document here. Since the publication, Dobbins and a number of UN Security officers have openly targeted Inner City Press. This has been raised in writing to Smale (for eight months), for almost 18 months to Guterres and his deputy Amina J. Mohammed, whose response has been to evade questions on Cameroon and now an ambiguous smile while surrounded by UN Security. On June 25 Inner City Press asked Guterres' Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq about it, video here, UN transcript here: Inner City Press:
on Friday there was the Eid event in which António Guterres gave a speech, and I… I want… I guess I want to put this in a general way because I don't understand it.  During the event, as the event went on, I was required to leave by a Lieutenant Dobbins and the emergency response unit.  And it seemed strange, because there were many other non-resident correspondents at the event.  So, I wanted to know… to know, one, what are the rules?  Number two, is it acceptable for a… a… UN Security to… to single out and target a specific journalist?  And I did… and I ask this because I've previously written a story about promotions in DSS [Department of Safety and Security], including Mr. Dobbins, and whatever that is, what are the provisions in the UN to make sure that security cannot abuse its powers?  So those are… I… I… I'd like you to answer that, and also they didn't give their names.  The other individuals refused to give their names.  Is that UN policy?

Deputy Spokesman:  UN Security has their policies.  Your concerns with them need to be addressed to UN Security.  I'm not going to comment on your own problems with UN Security.  Brenden, come on up.

Inner City Press: I don't understand.  This happened at a speech by the Secretary-General.

Deputy Spokesman:  No, I'm sorry, your security issues are things you're going to have to deal with.

Inner City Press: It's not a security issue.  It was done in the name of the Secretary-General.  Is he speaking tomorrow at 6 p.m. somewhere?  Can you say where the Secretary-General is speaking tomorrow at 6 p.m.?

Deputy Spokesman:  I’m not going to argue with you on this." There was more - video here.

  Even if Lt Dobbins and his team and commanders wanted to interpret and twist the existing rules in a way they are not enforced against any other non-resident correspondent at the UN, the Guterres Eid al -Fitr event listed in the UN Department of Public Information was still ongoing, making it unquestionable that Inner City Press had a right to be in the UN and cover it.

   But even as Inner City Press dialed DPI's Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit, getting only voice mail, Dobbins made a call and UN “Emergency Response Unit” officers arrived, with barely concealed automatic weapons. One of them repeatedly pushed Inner City Press' reporter in the back, forcing him through the General Assembly lobby toward the exit. Video here.

   UN Under Secretary General Catherine Pollard was told the ouster and did nothing, as was a Moroccan diplomat. The heavily armed UN Security officers refused to give their names when asked. Lieutenant Dobbins, with no name plate on his uniform, refused to spell his name. He said, I have my orders. From who - Guterres? His Deputy SG or chief of staff, both of whom were at the event? DSS chief Drennan? DPI chief Alison Smale?

    Inner City Press repeatedly asked to be able to get its laptop computer, which was upstairs - there was no way to have known it would be ousted during Guterres' event.

  But Dobbins and the others refused, as did the UN Security officers at the gate. Inner City Press remained there, with dwindling cell phone battery, raising the issue online to Smale, under whose watch Inner City Press has remained in the non-resident correspondent status it was reduced to for pursuing the Ng Lp Seng UN bribery case into the UN press briefing room where Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric ordered it out, then had it evicted. A DPI representative, whom Inner City Press asked to call Smale, was unable or unwilling to even let Inner City Press go in escorted to get its laptop.

   Just in the past week, when Inner City Press complained of Dujarric providing only to Al Jazeera the response of Antonio Guterres to the US leaving the UN Human Rights Council, Dujarric and the Al Jazeera trio claimed to MALU that the coverage was “too aggressive.” Journalism is not a crime? Next week, Antonio Guterres is set to give remarks, to which Inner City Press has requested the right to cover response, to the UN Correspondents Association, which not only has not acted on this censorship, but has fueled it.

  Inside the UN the Eid event continued, alongside a liquor fueled barbeque thrown by UN Security. This DSS sold tickets to non resident correspondents, and allowed in people who had nothing to do with the UN, including some seeming underage. When Inner City Press audibly raised the issue to UN Safety and Security Service chief Mick Brown, he did nothing.

   The Moroccan diplomat emerged and chided Inner City Press for even telling him of the ouster, claiming that “25% of what you write is about Morocco.” Some Periscope video here. Pakistan's Permanent Representative, who hosted the Eid event, said she would look into it. Sweden's spokesperson asked whom to call in DPI and when Inner City Press said, Alison Smale, responded, Who is Alison Smale? Indeed.

  Smale has refused to respond in any way, in the eight months she has been Guterres' “Global Communications” chief, to a 5000 signature petition to restore Inner City Press to its unused office S-303 and to adopt content neutral media access rules going forward. That, and appropriate action on Lt. Dobbins and the others, must be among the next steps. Watch this site.

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