UN fires staffers over child pornography

A report from the UN undersecretary general for management said that four UN staff members were dismissed from their positions for storing "pornographic material, including pornography involving a minor" on UN computers.

The four UN staffers also distributed the content via the organization's email system.

The report said another UN staffer was fired for storing pornographic material, and failing "to report that another staff member had forwarded" the content "through the Organization's email system."

UN staff has been subject to increased scrutiny following allegations that UN peacekeepers sexually abused children. However, the UN staffer report did not cover peacekeepers' conduct since they serve in missions under the jurisdiction of their home country.

Other offenses

The report on the organization's "disciplinary matters and cases of criminal behavior" also noted other cases of abuse by UN employees.

"A staff member used an official vehicle of the Organization to transport approximately 173 kilograms of marijuana," the report said, adding that the individual was dismissed.

Another "staff member repeatedly threatened to kill or suggested that the staff member could arrange to kill the Head of Mission," the UN report noted. The individual was also fired.

At least eight UN employees were referred to their respective countries for "credible allegations of criminal conduct." However, the report did not specify whether they were prosecuted.

The report did not specify where the staffers were based when the acts were committed, although it said that the abuses were committed between July 2014 and June 2015.

ls/bw (AFP, AP, dpa)