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Kemal Derviş, the Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), has received from Robert Benson, the Chair of the UN Ethics Committee, the review of Imran Mumtaz’s request from protection against retaliation by his supervisor stemming from his time working for UN Department of Safety Security (UNDSS) on a service contract administered by UNDP -- as UNDP does in field operations around the world -- in the UN country office in Ankara, Turkey, in 2006.

This review was undertaken earlier this year with the full support and encouragement of UNDP senior management.

The claim centered around Mr. Mumtaz’s visa situation in Turkey which did not permit him to work. After several failed attempts by UNDP-Turkey to resolve that situation by obtaining a work permit, there was an agreed termination of his contract in April of 2006, and the full termination indemnity paid.

In this context Mr. Benson’s report concludes that, based on circumstantial evidence, the behaviour by Mr. Mumtaz’s supervisor, a Field Security Coordination Assistant, to secure Mr. Mumtaz’ resignation should be considered an act of individual retaliation by the supervisor, who resigned in September 2006.

The report also states that it is clear from the evidence that the management of UNDP’s Country Office in Turkey went above and beyond duty to assist Mr. Mumtaz in rectifying his visa issue so he could continue the work he was doing for UNDSS-Turkey. These efforts by the Resident Representative at the time, as well as the subsequent Resident Representative and the head of the UNDSS-Turkey office, were ultimately unsuccessful since the authorities made it clear that national law would not allow for Mr. Mumtaz to be re-instated.

Following Mr. Benson’s report UNDP management will now implement its recommendations, within the rules and procedures of the Organization.

For more information, please contact the UNDP Press Office at +1 212 906 5382.