In a statement Alenius replied “It’s my document, for my perusal,”.

The UN’s Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions noted that “the Committee did not have the benefit of access to the review itself, as OIOS declined to provide it.”

These reports were at the center of a BBC report which claimed that the UN covered up that its troops in DR of Congo gave arms to militias and smuggled gold and ivory. The allegations were based on confidential UN sources, involve Pakistani and Indian troops working as peace keepers. It further stated that the UN investigated some of the claims in 2007, but said it could not substantiate claims of arms dealing, but UN insiders told the BBC, they had been prevented from pursuing their inquiries for political reasons. Story reported here

Earlier this week, in a press briefing, the question was asked,”who had paid for the report.”
“The UN budget,” the senior UN official replied. So how is it Ms. Ahlenius’ report?

The reports are damning. The first, by Erling Grimstad, states among other thing that

“OIOS suffers from an ineffective and unclear structure, lack of independent budget and limited to no administrative support (check in and separating procedures, travel arrangements, etc.), poor management, conflicts at the senior management level, lack of communication inside ID/OIOS as well as with stakeholders and clients of ID/OIOS, lack of standard operating procedures and constant disagreements with regard to the scope of some of the investigative procedures of the division. This has obviously resulted in instability, high turnover rates and non-optimal working conditions for investigators.”

Well the report “owned” by Ms Inga-Britt Alenius, paid for from the UN’s donor countries, withheld from UN’s Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, and leaked to the BBC, is now available for the world to see in PDF :

Review of the OIOS Investigations Division, United Nations
Submitted to the Under-Secretary-General of Office of Internal Oversight Services
June 26, 2007 Erling Grimstad

Also See:

A Culture Review of the Investigations Division of OIOS
Consultant’s Report Submitted to: Inga-Britt Ahlenius
Under-Secretary General Office of Internal Oversight Services
by Michel Girodo, Ph.D July 13th, 2007

Sudan’s allies from the African, Islamic groups and Non-Aligned blocs lined up to praise Khartoum, a position that was formalized in a consensus resolution welcoming the “collaboration of the government of Sudan.”

Gibreil Hamid, a survivor from Darfur, took the floor on behalf of UN Watch to confront the impunity granted to Sudan. See full video and text below.

UN Watch Takes on Sudan and its Allies

UN Human Rights Council, 7th Session

Interactive Dialogue with UN Special Rapporteur on Sudan

UN Watch Statement Delivered by Gibreil Hamid, March 17, 2008

Thank you, Mr. President.

I speak on behalf of UN Watch. We thank the Special Rapporteur for her excellent work for the victims of Darfur.

Mr. President, I am from Darfur, and I know the truth about what is happening there.

The truth can be found in today’s report.

The report shows how the Government of Sudan is violating human rights and international humanitarian law, with physical assaults, abductions and rape.

In October, Government forces attacked Muhajiriya. People praying in a mosque were rounded up, and forty-eight civilians were killed.

In November, Government planes dropped bombs on Habila. The attackers entered the villages, shooting, stealing animals and setting fire to houses.

On 2 December, in West Darfur, armed men attacked a group of ten women and girls. A sixteen-year-old girl from the group was gang raped, and at least three other women were whipped and beaten with axes. Police and soldiers refused to help.

Today’s report says that violence against women in Darfur is continuing. There is no improvement. There is no justice. The attackers enjoy immunity.

Mr. President, in the name of basic human rights, UN Watch urges Sudan to end these attacks against innocent civilians.

UN Watch asks this Council to please stop praising Sudan for its “cooperation.” Mr. President, attacking little girls is not “cooperation.”

We wish to ask the rapporteur: What further action is she planning to protect the victims of Darfur?

Thank you, Mr. President.

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In Praise of Sudan’s ‘Cooperation’

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“It is an honor to speak on behalf of the Arab Group and our country considers that reaching a peaceful solution in the south of Sudan has reached to the stability of the situation and Sudan is committed to this treatment, and it has taken the steps in order to achieve this peaceful solution.”

– Palestine on behalf of the Arab Group, March 17, 2008

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“Our delegation also appreciates the cooperation by Sudan with the former Commission on Human Rights and with the Human Rights Council. Sudan has thus recognized all the resolutions of the Commission and the Council.”

– Qatar, March 17, 2008

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“The African Group expresses its hope that this session of the Council will mark the continuation of the cooperative spirit, which has reigned so far in the Council on Sudan…”

– Egypt on behalf of the African Group, March 17, 2008

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“We believe that this is a reflection of the openness of the government of Sudan and its commitment to cooperate with this Council for the promotion and protection of human rights.”

– Egypt on behalf of the African Group, March 17, 2008

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“The African group expresses its appreciation to the government of Sudan for the efforts undertaken thus far in the implementation of peace agreements….”

– Egypt on behalf of the African Group, March 17, 2008

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“Indeed the Sudan government has always cultivated traditions of cooperation and openness with different mechanisms both with the UN and Africa.”

– African Union representative, March 17, 2008

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“We express our appreciation to the government of Sudan for the cooperation that it has extended….”

– Kenya, March 17, 2008

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“Sudan’s efforts are noteworthy and must be encouraged.” — Pakistan, March 17, 2008

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“Sudan has completely cooperated with the former Commission on Human Rights as well as the current Council with the fact that both the Council and the Commission have admitted that.”

– Palestine on behalf of the Arab Group, March 17, 2008

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“We appreciate the consistent efforts of the government of Sudan to remove obstacles to the implementation of all national, regional, and international agreements.” — Pakistan, March 17, 2008

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“The government of Sudan will also require international support and encouragement, which must be provided without political qualification.” — Pakistan, March 17, 2008

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“The Sudan has always cooperated with the Human Rights Council in order to implement its resolutions. President, we welcome Sudan’s cooperation with the Council…” — Syria, March 17, 2008

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“The Sudanese government is cooperating fully with all international, regional initiatives to put an end to the crisis…” — League of Arab States representative, March 17, 2008

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“Malaysia welcomes the progress achieved by the government of the Sudan in improving the legislation, mechanism, and rule of law in the country…” — Malaysia, March 17, 2008

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“We praise the positive steps taken by and taken in the past and which continue to be taken by the government of Sudan to deal with the situation in Darfur…” — Saudi Arabia, March 17, 2008

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“The report of the Special Rapporteur reflects the cooperation of the Sudan government and the progress made in improving the situation in that region by the attempt of the Sudanese government to lift all the obstacles to carrying out all the provisions of regional and international agreements.” — Saudi Arabia, March 17, 2008

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“We also recognize the determination of the Sudanese government to try and solve the complex situation effecting Darfur. Cuba welcomes the manifest cooperation of the Sudanese authorities with the work of this Council and its decisions.” — Cuba, March 17, 2008

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“Thanks to the considerable efforts of the UN, the African Union, the Sudanese government and other interested parties we have seen positive developments in the search for a solution to the Darfur issue.” — China, March 17, 2008

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“We are confident that the government of Sudan will continue its cooperation with the Council and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights…” — Indonesia, March 17, 2008

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“Sudan has fully cooperated with the UN peacekeeping forces. This has shown the good intentions of the Sudanese government’s determination to restore peace and security.” — United Arab Emirates, March 17, 2008

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“The Sudanese government has demonstrated its determination to positively work toward satisfactory solutions…” — Jordan, March 17, 2008

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“We are satisfied to note the high level of cooperation between the Sudanese government and the Special Rapporteur, and the willingness of the government to pursue a dialogue…” — Russian Federation, March 17, 2008

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“My country’s delegation praises the efforts of the Sudanese government to improve the human rights situation…” — Bahrain, March 17, 2008

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“The government of Sudan is cooperating positively…” — Bahrain, March 17, 2008

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“We appreciate the cooperation of the government of Sudan to facilitate the work of the Special Rapporteur and to follow closely matters in the field.” — Yemen, March 17, 2008

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“We are particularly heartened by the openness and the cooperative spirit with which the government of Sudan has welcomed the SR and facilitated her mission.” — Djibouti, March 17, 2008

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“The delegation also notes the cooperation afforded to the Special Rapporteur by the government of Sudan, which is reflective of an attempt to unravel the complex situation and resolve it.” — Zimbabwe, March 17, 2008

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“The EU will join the consensus on this resolution and wishes to express our appreciation to the government of Sudan and its ambassador and the African Group for their constructive engagement during the course of these negotiations.” — Slovenia on behalf of the European Union, March 27, 2008

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“We particularly welcome the cooperation extended by the government of the Sudan to the Special Rapporteur as well as to the group of experts on Darfur. We also appreciate the government of Sudan’s willingness to remain engaged with the international community.” — Pakistan on behalf of the Islamic Group, March 27, 2008

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“There has been an acknowledgment of the improvements of the situation of human rights in Darfur and of the steps taken by the government of the Sudan…” — Sudan, March 27, 2008

Interesting PDF on post genocide era in Rwanda…. lots of facts concerning the costly trials by UN.

* We now have the international Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) which has already cost the international community more than 600 million US dollars. It has an annual budget of around 100 million dollars and with the recent approval of the tribunal’s request for ad litem judges, the amount is set to increase. This is money which the international community purportedly avails to promote national reconciliation, respect for human rights and the rule of law in Rwanda. During its eight year existence, the ICTR has concluded 5 full trials and accepted guilty pleas of three suspects.

Also Ephrem Gasasira, is cited as a resource. Witnesses finger him as participating in genocide.

* The UN Tribunal for Rwanda has not acted to reprimand one of its employees Mr. Ephrem Gasasira despite a Genocide trial due to start in which he is also accused by witnesses, African Rights said on Thursday in a new report.

On January 18, 2008 the trail of Father Hormisdas Nsengimana, a Roman Catholic priest resumes at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), but interestingly, his alleged key ally during the Genocide Mr. Gasasira works with documentation department at the ICTR in Arusha – Tanzania.

African Rights claims Mr. Gasasira was president of the Court of Appeal in Nyanza (now part of Southern Province) in 1994. The campaign organization says Mr. Gasasira is accused by the same witnesses of working closely with Father Nsengimana to ensure a successful Genocide in Nyanza.