Viral Sex Video: UN Suspends Two Employees

BY GRACE ANYANWU – The United Nations (UN) has announced the suspension of two of its male employees involved in a recent viral sex video in Israel.

The spokesman for the Secretary-General of the UN, Mr Stephane Dujarric, announced the suspension in a note to UN correspondents in New York on Thursday.

Dujarric explained both employees have been identified and placed on “Administrative Leave Without Pay” pending the conclusion of an ongoing investigation into the matter.

The video, which trended online last week, showed a couple apparently having sex on the back seat of a UN official car in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Dujarric told correspondents on Friday that the organisation was “shocked and deeply disturbed” by the footage, adding that investigation has already been launched.

The spokesman to the UN Secretary General confirmed that the video featured a 4×4 vehicle, containing personnel “likely assigned to the UN Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO)” headquartered in Jerusalem.

The short video showed a white woman in a red dress straddling an equally white man in the back seat of the white SUV bearing the “UN” inscription.

With them in the moving vehicle were the driver and a bald-head man sitting on the passenger side, in front.

Media reports say the footage was recorded on HaYarkon Street, a major thoroughfare in Tel Aviv, the Israeli capital.

Dujarric also said that the investigation is being handled by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), saying that the two male international staff members, who were in the UN vehicle in Tel Aviv have been identified as having engaged in misconduct, including conduct of sexual nature.

The statement further said; “Given the seriousness of the allegation of failing to observe the standards of conduct expected of international civil servants, the two staff members have been placed on Administrative Leave Without Pay. This is pending the results and conclusion of the ongoing OIOS investigation.

“UNTSO has re-engaged in a robust awareness-raising campaign to remind its personnel of their obligations to the UN Code of Conduct. The OIOS investigation continues, and we will keep you informed”.

Dujarric said that UNTSO is the first-ever peacekeeping mission established by the UN in 1948, adding that its mission comprises military observers to monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements and prevent military escalation.

In 2019, the UN also announced that it received and investigated 175 allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse against its staff, adding that of the total, 16 were substantiated while 15 were unsubstantiated just as others are still under investigation.