UNITED NATIONS: In the strongest disciplinary measure within staff rules in the
United Nations, an Indian national employed in the UN agency for gender equality and women empowerment has been dismissed after an investigation determined he engaged in sexual misconduct.
UN Women had said last month that the Office of Audit and Investigation of UNDP had completed its investigation into the sexual misconduct allegations.
While the staff member has not been named throughout the process of investigation, sexual misconduct allegations were levelled against Indian national Ravi Karkara, who had served as senior advisor on strategic partnerships and advocacy to the assistant secretary general and deputy executive director at UN Women.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, executive director of UN Women Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said the investigative and disciplinary processes “concluded that sexual misconduct occurred”. “As a result, I have dismissed the staff member; this is the strongest disciplinary measure available within the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations. Consequently, the staff member is prohibited from employment within the UN system.” She further said that the “former staff member cannot be protected by diplomatic immunity”.
At least eight men had accused Karkara of using his position to sexually harass them, sources with knowledge of the probe had told
Newsweek.
