STAFF REPRESENTATIVES EXPRESS DEEP REGRET AT KILLINGS OF TWO FAO COLLEAGUES IN BAGHDAD

Press Release
ORG/1308

STAFF REPRESENTATIVES EXPRESS DEEP REGRET AT KILLINGS OF TWO FAO COLLEAGUES IN BAGHDAD

Mehri Madarshahi, President of Coordinating Committee for International Staff Unions and Associations of the United Nations System (CCISUA) and Dimitri Samaras, President of UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Staff Association, express their deep regret and shock at the tragic killings of two staff members from the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) in Baghdad.

Working in atmospheres of growing tension and frustration, the staff of the United Nations continues to pay the ultimate price in fulfilling the noble objectives of the Organization. The international community has, therefore, an obligation to ensure the safety and security of our staff given the dedicated and selfless service which these individuals render to advance global peace and development.

It would, however, be almost impossible to ensure the safety and security of our staff, if their privileges and immunities are not duly respected. Respect for the privileges and immunities of United Nations staff is not a rhetorical plea, but a practical requirement necessary for the independent exercise of the functions entrusted to the United Nations. This deplorable action once more underlines the need for further measures to reinforce the efforts required for the protection and physical safety of our personnel world wide.

We call on the Government of Iraq and the international community to bring the killer to justice.

Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the relatives of Yusuf Abdilleh and Marewan Mohammed Hassan.

* *** *