Liberia / Alleged Serious Misconduct by an UNMIL Staff Member
MONROVIA, Liberia, August 26, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has learned of the untimely death of one of its international civilian staff members, an American citizen, who died on 24 August at his home in Monrovia. The circumstances of his death are being investigated. The staff member was the subject of an investigation into allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse of minors. As a UN civilian staff and American citizen working in Liberia, the initial investigations were carried out by the Government of Liberia in collaboration with UNMIL and the US Embassy in Monrovia. During the course of these investigations, his movement was restricted to his residence because of a pre-existing medical condition.
UNMIL and the US Government, through its Embassy in Monrovia, are cooperating fully with the Liberian Government’s investigation into the allegations. In accordance with the UN policy concerning allegations of staff member misconduct, the UN also conducts an independent investigation. In this regard, two investigators have arrived in Liberia from the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) regional office in Nairobi to carry out a full investigation.
UNMIL reiterates strongly that it is the UN’s policy and practice to promptly investigate every single allegation of misconduct by its staff and to take appropriate action if a staff member is found guilty.
The United Nations takes all allegations of sexual crimes against children extremely seriously and is committed to preventing this abhorrent practice, in compliance with the Secretary-General’s zero tolerance policy.
We regret the staff member’s death and extend our sympathies to any possible victims and to his family.
SOURCE
Mission of UN in Liberia
