ZERO TOLERANCE FOR HARASSMENT AT UN SYSTEM EVENTS
un.org/codeofconduct #codeofconduct
Purpose
The organizations of the United Nations system are committed to enabling events at which everyone can participate in an inclusive, respectful and safe environment. UN system events are guided by the highest ethical and professional standards, and all participants are expected to behave with integrity and respect towards all participants attending or involved with any UN system event.
Applicability
The Code of Conduct applies to any UN system event, which shall include meetings, conferences and symposia, assemblies, receptions, scientific and technical events, expert meetings, workshops, exhibits, side events and any other forum organized, hosted or sponsored in whole or part by a UN system entity wherever it takes place, and any event or gathering that takes place on UN system premises whether or not a UN system entity is organizing, hosting or sponsoring.
The Code of Conduct applies to all participants at a UN system event, including all persons attending or involved in any capacity in a UN system event.
The UN system or other entity responsible for a UN system event commits to implementing the Code of Conduct.
The Code of Conduct is not legal or prescriptive in nature. It supplements, and does not affect, the application of other relevant policies, regulations, rules and laws, including laws regulating the premises in which the UN system event takes place and any applicable host country agreements.
Prohibited conduct
Harassment is any improper or unwelcome conduct that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause oence or humiliation to another person. Harassment in any form because of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, physical ability, physical appearance, ethnicity, race, national origin, political aliation, age, religion or any other reason is prohibited at UN system events.
Sexual harassment is a specific type of prohibited conduct. Sexual harassment is any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause oense or humiliation. Sexual harassment may involve any conduct of a verbal, nonverbal or physical nature, including written and electronic communications, and may occur between persons of the same or dierent genders.
Examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to:
• Making derogatory or demeaning comments about someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity
• Name-calling or using slurs with a gender/sexual connotation
• Making sexual comments about appearance, clothing or body parts
• Rating a person’s sexuality
• Repeatedly asking a person for dates or asking for sex
• Staring in a sexually suggestive manner
• Unwelcome touching, including pinching, patting, rubbing or purposefully brushing up against a person
• Making inappropriate sexual gestures, such as pelvic thrusts
• Sharing sexual or lewd anecdotes or jokes • Sending sexually suggestive communications in any format
• Sharing or displaying sexually inappropriate images or videos in any format
• Attempted or actual sexual assault, including rape
Please be assured that the UNIAG Control Committee will take any report of misconduct seriously and deal with the incident in line with established UN principles and procedures.