| UN Volker Turk
Collaborated in Banning
Inner City Press Now Nada
Letter and Staff Critique
by
Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book
Substack
UN GATE,
Dec 19 – How corrupt and
decrepit has the UN system
become under Antonio Guterres,
in this case due to Guterres?
Today's example is again from
the Office of the High
Commission for Human Rights,
to which Guterres appointed
his unqualified crony Volker
Turk more than two years ago.
From OHCHR
staff: "Dear Matthew Russell
Lee:
The situation keeps getting worse in
OHCHR’s Volker Turk. Last week’s all staff
meeting with Volker Turk served to blame
member states for OHCHR deficit. This is a
(mis) management made crisis. Today Deputy
High Commissioner, soulless Nada Al Nashif,
wrote to all staff to explain nothing. The
main question is why 350 junior (mainly
female) colleagues have been fired and not one
single P5, D1, D2 or ASG have been affected by
the dismal financial situation? Instead
cronies keep being promoted. The answer is
very clear: OHCHR is a CLEPTOCRACY! OHCHR is
run by a gang of cronies with Volker Turk,
Nada al Nashif (when is she leaving?), liar
Kim Taylor, corrupt Maarit Kohonen, and
favorites Matthias Behnke, Scott Campbell,
Michael Camilleri, Aziz Thioye and few
others). How many more valuable colleagues
have to lose their jobs?
Volker Turk and Kim Taylor’s hypocrisy is such
that they preach about well-being and
meditation while they fire pregnant colleagues
or sick ones in need of medical insurance or
whistleblowers who expose corruption.
Earmarked funds for field operations are being
diverted to fund cronies’ post. This is what
Kim Taylor does. This is corruption. OHCHR
urgently needs an audit by member states and a
new High Commissioner in 2026 when Guterres is
ousted.
"Dear colleagues, Thank you for joining
the High Commissioner’s All Staff Meeting of
last week, and for engaging on so many fronts
as we try to wrap up a momentous year.
Following the various questions we received,
online and in the room, I wish to complement
with more information on a few key issues.
This overview builds on earlier messages and
the HC’s remarks on the 12th.
Funding and Budget Thanks to the
efforts of numerous colleagues, we received
additional voluntary contributions towards the
end of the year, which brings us to a total of
$258 million. This is $10 million less than
what we raised in 2024, but an impressive $50
million more than earlier projections for
2025. Despite this encouraging news, our
unearmarked funding remains precariously low -
negatively impacting the balance of cash
reserves required as a buffer, to sustain
salaries and other commitments before fresh
funds are received. This is one of the
reasons why temporary contracts cannot be
renewed beyond 31 December 2025. Extensions
have been considered on a case-by-case basis
as has been clarified on several occasions.
And as is the case in any working environment,
the Office must honor all existing legal
obligations before taking on additional
commitments. Following intense efforts
by programme management colleagues across the
Office, and review by the Senior Executive
Team, the High Commissioner has approved our
extrabudgetary budget for 2026 at $148.5
million. This should now allow
Divisions/units to finalize their annual work
and cost plans, before the end of the
year For the regular budget, we
are waiting for the decisions of the 5th
Committee on our proposed budget for
2026.
Contracts and downsizing OHCHR is one of
the few UN entities that is currently not
undergoing downsizing. This is a reflection of
the deliberate steps taken over these last
eight months to support and retain our
workforce. We will continue to do everything
possible to avoid triggering the downsizing
policy. The outcome of the 5th Committee
on our regular budget, and the subsequent
allotment will be important elements to inform
our budgetary positions in January. We are,
however, in a position today to renew
fixed-term appointments for another six months
starting from 1 April, through to 30 September
2026. While this is not ideal, we do
hope that it provides some respite for all
concerned staff.
Expressions of Interest and special
constraints panel A compendium exercise
and special constraints panel announced in the
summer could unfortunately not take place as
planned. Guidance from New York stipulated
that these would be at odds with the UN
Secretariat’s commitments and
obligations. Instead, we continue to
issue expressions of interest that are open to
all OHCHR staff members, a list of all
opportunities are contained here.
Colleagues who applied for special constraints
considerations were also reviewed on a
case-by-case basis. Where the constraint was
beyond a staff member’s control for objective
reasons, such as a medical or safety issue,
expertise was sought from professionals
(medical or security services) to provide
guidance. Each person was given full, fair and
objective consideration.
Of 28 colleagues who requested their case to
be reviewed, 11 were approved. For staff
members whose special constraints have been
approved, every effort will be made to
identify alternative positions at their grade
level that would allow them to remain at their
current duty station. Expressions of
Interest (EOIs) are currently used for two
primary purposes:
First, they help us identify colleagues
who may be interested in relocating to vacant
positions, enabling managers to make
well-informed decisions. These selections
remain valid for three months and do not
replace the formal TJO or JO processes. In
some cases, an EOI may enable a lateral
transfer under the authority of the High
Commissioner for the staff member concerned.
Otherwise, a TJO or JO process will follow,
particularly when the applicant is at a lower
level than the advertised position.
Second, EOIs allow us to address
short-term operational needs—typically up to
three months.
As I indicated in my last message, OHCHR
staff members are encouraged to express their
interest in these positions – both those whose
post might be abolished or moved and those who
may wish to explore alternative opportunities.
We are doing our best to match staff interest
with available opportunities Selections
through the EOI processes will similarly be
guided by identifying the best possible match
between candidates and the requirements of
each position. Staff under
UNDP and Human Rights Components of
Peace/Political Missions Staff serving
in Human Rights Components within Peacekeeping
Missions are administered by a different UN
entity, not by OHCHR. The same applies to
locally recruited staff in the field who fall
under UNDP administration. The valuable
contributions of these colleagues are well
recognized, and there will continue to be
opportunities for them. Should no suitable
candidate be identified among regular staff
during the EOI processes, these colleagues
will be considered for vacancies
issued.
Reduction of Field Presences The
Global Operations Division conducted an
operations review from May-July 2025. The main
focus was the identification of realistic
strategic programme priorities, based on a
thorough assessment of the geopolitical, human
rights situation in the specific
country/region. Based on this assessment and
the available financial envelope, Heads of
Offices, supported by HQ, identified suggested
reductions in personnel and activities cost.
Staff reductions were based on a reduced set
of identified strategic programmatic
priorities so that we would not have to do
more with less, but realistically deliver less
with less. In other words, the functions
required to implement the reduced strategic
priorities would be retained. The office
is providing as much support as possible to
affected staff to identify other work
opportunities to consider.
Concerns specific to national colleagues on
UNDP administered contracts
Colleagues on UNDP-administered
appointments are facing distinct challenges
linked to policies and processes outside the
UN Secretariat, including different employment
conditions and insurance schemes offered by
UNDP. OHCHR has taken all available steps and
remains ready to coordinate and complete the
conversion of UNDP administered staff to UN
Secretariat contracts; this awaits HQ approval
as we have long reiterated. Where
possible, as part of the office restructuring,
colleagues have been reassigned between duty
stations within the same country. Colleagues
whose experience aligns with professional
level functions have been encouraged to apply
for TJOs and JOs and express interest through
EOIs, noting that initial preference is given
to regular staff serving under UN Secretariat
appointments.
Further information PSMS drop-in
sessions will continue periodically as
announced by Kim during the Staff Meeting, and
PSMS remains ready to meet with sections or
teams to answer questions and further clarify
specific queries. We are updating the
FAQ on the Intranet where you will find
additional details. Dear
Colleagues, We have had a particularly
tough year but we can all be proud that the
Office has delivered a remarkable set of
results and outcomes in 2025 - the broadcast
messages from Directors and Chiefs are
wonderful testaments to this. I trust
that many of you will have the opportunity to
get some rest in the coming weeks, and to
spend quality time with family and friends, as
we look ahead to a brighter 2026! You
have deep appreciation from the High
Commissioner, the ASG and me - with our
sincere thanks to you all for your dedication
and commitment. Warm regards, Nada
Nada, indeed.
Inner City Press
re-applied to re-enter the UN
on June 19, 2025 - no answer
at all from Melissa Fleming,
Tel Mekel, Stephane Dujarric.
Today's UN is corrupt.
***
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