UN agency haunts staffer for pro-Palestinian posts on social media

AP , Saturday 6 Jan 2024

The U.N. agency promoting equality for women said Friday that violations of the U.N. Code of Conduct requiring impartiality by a mid-level manager, who reportedly supported pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli posts on social media, are being dealt with internally.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. AFP

Last month, the pro-Israel advocacy group UN Watch, based in Geneva, reported that Sarah Douglas, the deputy chief of the UN Women’s Peace and security office, had endorsed 153 posts on social media since Hamas ’ Oct. 7 operation in southern Israel.

UN Watch’s Executive Director Hillel Neuer posted on X, formerly Twitter, some examples including posts that accused Israel of “genocide” and celebrated shutting down bridges and highways for pro-Palestinian campaigns and rallies.

After UN Watch publicized the posts, Neuer said Douglas deleted her social media accounts, but he said the group has screenshots of her posts.

Last week, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said when asked about Douglas’ posts: “I understand there was a violation of the Code of Conduct by this individual.”

Douglas has not commented on her social media posts.

“We are aware of reports relating to a mid-level manager and the incompatibility of her social media activity with the standards of conduct required of U.N. staff members,” UN Women said Friday in response to an AP question on what action it is taking on the violations and the calls for her firing.

“UN Women takes these concerns very seriously,” it said. “The standards of conduct are clear and breaches are dealt with appropriately and in accordance with UN Women’s accountability and legal framework."

UN Women said: "Such processes are internal and not made public.”

* This story has been edited by Ahram Online.