GLOBAL STAFF UNIONS UNITE TO PETITION UN SECURITY COUNCIL

Press Release
ORG/1316

GLOBAL STAFF UNIONS UNITE TO PETITION UN SECURITY COUNCIL

In the aftermath of the senseless death of our three colleagues in West Timor, the Global Staff Unions and Associations of the United Nations system voiced their concern and distress by issuing a petition to the Security Council. The petition calls for a special session of the Security Council on staff safety and security and underlines the need for strengthening preventive and preparatory measures in the field.

On Tuesday, 13 September, Staff Unions and Associations around the globe, led by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), held a memorial service in Geneva. In addition, individual letters to heads of State and government were sent. At Headquarters in New York, the petition was broadcast through the e-mail system so that staff who support this initiative could respond. The petition is sponsored by two Global Staff Associations: CCISUA [the Coordinating Committee for International Staff Unions and Associations of the United Nations System] and FICSA [Federation of International Civil Service Associations]. A tentative decision has been reached to route the expected 10,000 signatures through the Secretary-General’s Office to the Security Council.

Furthermore, a worldwide demonstration in the form of a silent march is now planned for Thursday, 21 September. United Nations New York Staff Associations and Unions, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the UNHCR, plan to join the silent march, which will be held around the Secretariat Fountain at 12:30 p.m. Staff representatives request the support of all staff by their presence at this march.

A memorial Staff Day 2000 along with a flag-raising event will take place on 25 September from 9 to 10 a.m. in the United Nations Visitors Plaza, by the entrance to the Garden. Staff members are urged to attend to show their solidarity and concern.

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