The Mandate of the Conduct and Discipline Team is derived from the recommendations of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, the C - 34 -A/59/19 Rev. 10, which were endorsed by General Assembly Resolution (59/300 of 22 June 2005).
The primary role of the CDT is to help ensure the prevention and identification of misconduct as well as to monitor compliance with and enforcement of the UN standards of conduct, using the three-pronged strategy of prevention, enforcement and remedial action.
All United Nations personnel (civilians and uniformed), Volunteers and contractual workers are expected to uphold the highest standards of professional and personal conduct. They must respect their obligations as set out under the Staff Rules and Regulations, code of conduct, provisions of the relevant MoUs, Undertaking, Contracts and also comply with local laws and treat the local population with respect and dignity at all times.
Code of Conduct for all UNAMID personnel (UNAMID/AI/ 2009/020, dated 18 June, 2009)
All UN personnel must observe the following core values:
- Integrity;
- Professionalism;
- Respect for diversity.
All UN personnel must also comply with the following responsibilities:
- Competence;
- Impartiality;
- Adherence to highest standards of conduct;
- Confidentiality;
- Independence;
- Respect for fundamental rights
The SG maintains a zero tolerance policy on SEA. Recently in joint message by USG DPKO and DFS reiterated and strongly condemned the act of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse by the peace keepers and aid workers.
Fact sheet: Peacekeeping Initiatives in Action -- Addressing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (pdf 132Kb)
Secretary-General report: Special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and abuse -- A new approach
Reporting
How to report acts of misconduct?
Staff Rule 1.2 (c) provides inter alia that “Staff members have the duty to report any breach of the organization’s regulations and rules to the officials whose responsibility it is to take appropriate action and to cooperate with duly authorized audits and investigations.” In addition, UNAMID Code of Conduct reminds all UN personnel of their duty to report any allegations of misconduct that they either suspect or become aware of complaints may be made to the Conduct and Discipline Team by:
Visit the Report Misconduct site for up to date contacts
Reports about misconduct if possible should include the following information:
- What exactly happened?
- When the incident(s) took place
- Where the incident(s) took place
- Who the involved UN personnel were – i.e. name(s), category/ies of personnel, role(s) and duty station(s), and other identifying information where applicable
- Who possible witness (es) to the incident were – i.e. (name(s), role(s)/location(s)/contacts)
- Name and contact details of the complainant
Allegations of misconduct may also be reported directly to the Investigation Division of the Office for Internal Oversight Services (ID/OIOS):
All allegations of serious misconduct should be reported within 24 hours of the occurrence of the incident or within 24 hours of any UN personnel becoming aware of an incident; all other misconduct should be reported within 7 days of its occurrence or within 7 days of any UN personnel becoming aware of an incident.
Allegations of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse may also be reported to the Conduct & Discipline Offices in MHQ or in the sectors.
UN personnel can also choose to report misconduct anonymously with confidentiality assured. If they do so, it is even more important that the report provides all available information (see above), so that the allegation can be followed-up / investigated without the need of additional data from the complainant.
All allegations should be reported in good faith. Deliberately making false allegations or reporting allegations with malicious intent, if substantiated, constitute misconduct and may be subject to disciplinary action.
All information is treated confidentially while according due process to all parties and taking into consideration, the safety, security and well-being of the parties involved.
What is Considered ‘Misconduct’?
A misconduct is a violation of UN rules and regulations including Administrative issuances and Mission standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Violations of Higher Risk to the Organization are classified as Category 1 misconduct and include:
- Sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA)
- Serious or complex fraud
- Theft, assault and criminal activities
- Abuse of authority and staff
- Conflict of interest
- Gross mismanagement
- Waste of substantial resources
- All cases involving risk or loss of life or to others, including witnesses
- Substantial violation of UN regulations, rules or administrative issuances
Violations of Lower Risk to the organization are classified as Category 2 misconduct and include among others;
- Personnel matters (including harassment)
- Traffic related offences (e.g. unauthorized passengers)
- Basic misuse of equipment by staff
- Infraction of regulations, rules or administrative issuances
- Simple entitlement fraud and others