Whistleblower protection policy: UN approves update
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is seeking to enhance protection for individuals who report possible misconduct or cooperate with duly authorised audits or investigations, approving an updated UN whistleblower policy. As part of his reform agenda, Guterres has made it a priority for the UN to have a whistleblower protection policy that meets the highest possible standards, according […]
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is seeking to enhance protection for individuals who report possible misconduct or cooperate with duly authorised audits or investigations, approving an updated UN whistleblower policy.
As part of his reform agenda, Guterres has made it a priority for the UN to have a whistleblower protection policy that meets the highest possible standards, according to the spokesperson Mr Stephane Dujarric.
Dujarric said the UN chief’s updated plan aims to ensure the global body functions in a more open, transparent and fair manner.
According to him, UN Staff and management both agreed on the updated policy, which meets best practices.
“The Ethics Office and Office of Internal Oversight Services will now be able to take preventive action where a risk of retaliation has been identified (instead of staff being required to identify a specific retaliatory act before they can request protection).
“The policy affords protection from retaliation to whistleblowers who report wrongdoing committed not only by staff but also by contractors, non-UN peacekeepers and others.
“Staff now have the right to seek review of Ethics Office determinations.
“In addition, complainants will be notified of disciplinary measures taken against staff members found to have retaliated against them,” according to the elements of the changes.
The Secretary-General has also tasked an internal working group to examine whether the policy on protection against retaliation should be further expanded to also provide more protections for consultants and individual contractors, according to Dujarric.
The UN chief has given the working group a deadline of June 30, 2017 to come back with its recommendations, he said.
“Until this matter is decided, the Secretary-General has asked that the Ethics Office continue its practice of providing assistance to consultants and individual contractors who seek protection against retaliation.
“To include this category of individuals within the policy would have resource implications.
“The Secretary-General is in favour of enhancing the independence of the Ethics Office by having it report directly to the General Assembly, instead of through the current arrangements, which provide for it to report to the Secretary-General.”
The UN spokesperson noted that the Secretary-General has requested the Ethics Office to urgently examine this issue and to report its advice.
“Such a change in reporting line would require the approval of the General Assembly,”, Dujarric said. (NAN)