News: UN fires Indian Gender Equality Advisor over molestation charges

Employee Relations

UN fires Indian Gender Equality Advisor over molestation charges

According to the claim made by his colleagues, he was accused of making obscene gestures and sending pornography links and indecent images to them.
UN fires Indian Gender Equality Advisor over molestation charges

Ravi Karkara, an Indian national working with the United Nations based in New York, was dismissed from his post at UN Women on Friday following an investigation lasting nearly 15 months.

Karkara who was working with the UN as a Senior Advisor for gender equality and the empowerment of women was sacked for his sexual misbehavior with his male colleagues. 

According to the claim made by his colleagues, he was accused of making obscene gestures and sending pornography links and indecent images to them. 

In a media statement, the Executive Director of UN Women Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said, "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 (UN). Consequently, the staff member is prohibited from employment within the UN system."

The statement also mentioned that he cannot be protected by diplomatic immunity. Although UN Women does not have the authority to prosecute, the UN is guided by its obligation to bring credible allegations of criminal conduct to the attention of relevant national authorities. 

Going forward, UN Women has made efforts to offer victim support throughout the investigation and protect gender equality as a fundamental human right.

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Topics: Employee Relations

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