Conduct and Discipline Team (CDT)

What is CDT?

The Conduct and Discipline Team (CDT) advises and assists both the Head of Mission and other members of the mission leadership on addressing conduct and discipline issues relating to all categories of UN Peacekeeping personnel.

CDT’s primary role is to receive, assess and refer misconduct allegations, subsequently liaising with the appropriate investigative entities, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Member States and various other UN, governmental and non-governmental agencies to evaluate them. Where misconduct has indeed occurred, CDT ensures remedial actions by coordinating the mission’s response to victims.

CDT’s three-pronged strategy of prevention, enforcement and remedial action means that it also established measures to prevent misconduct, and enforce existing standards through capacity-building, sensitization campaigns and information sessions on policies, procedures and guidelines pertaining to conduct and discipline issues.

What are the UN standards of conduct?

All United Nations personnel, Volunteers and contractual workers are expected to uphold the highest standards of professional and personal conduct. They must respect their obligations as set out under the Staff Rules and Regulations, comply with local laws and treat the local population with respect and dignity at all times.

All UN personnel must observe the following core values:

  • Inclusion
  • Integrity
  • Humility
  • Humanity
  • Respect for diversity

All UN personnel must also comply with the following responsibilities:

  • Competence
  • Impartiality
  • Adherence to highest standards of conduct
  • Confidentiality
  • Independence
  • Respect for diversity
  • Respect for fundamental rights

What is misconduct?

Violations of the UN standards of conduct constitute misconduct.

Violations of higher risk to the organization, i.e. violations that hinder the execution of the mission’s mandate and infringe upon the dignity and physical integrity of vulnerable persons, are classified as serious misconduct. These include:

  • Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
  • Serious and Complex Fraud
  • Abuse of Authority and Staff
  • Conflict of Interest
  • All cases involving risk or loss of life
  • Substantial Violation of UN Regulations, Rules or Administrative issuances

Violations of lower risk to the organization are classified as misconduct. These include:

  • Personnel Matters (including harassment)
  • Traffic Related Offences (e.g. unauthorized passengers)
  • Basic Misuse of Equipment by staff
  • Infraction of Regulations, Rules or Administrative Issuances
  • Simple Entitlement Fraud and others

What is Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA)?

The United Nations prohibits its personnel from exchanging money, food, employment or any other assistance for sexual favours with members of the local population.

Any sexual relationship between United Nations personnel and persons under the age of 18 is a crime.

Coercing anyone, whether a minor or an adult, into a sexual relationship, or even threatening to do so, constitutes sexual abuse and is severely punished by the United Nations. It is also a criminal offence.

How can someone report allegations of misconduct?

Staff members, including other MINUSCA personnel, have a duty to report any breach of the Organization’s regulations and rules to the officials whose responsibility it is to take appropriate action and to cooperate with duly authorized audits and investigations. In addition, the MINUSCA Code of Conduct reminds all MINUSCA personnel of their duty to report any allegation(s) of misconduct that they either suspect or become aware of to the CDT.

Complaints to the CDT can be made:

  • In person – to any CDT personnel located in the MINUSCA HQ Annex (behind Conference Services and JMAC), Bangui, or CDT personnel at Field Office locations
  • Via telephone – dial 4044 (Toll Free) from Orange, Télécel or Moov, or +236 75 99 44 45
  • Via e-mail – at minusca-demasea@un.org, with cc to Ghandi Shukry (Shukry@un.org) and Diakaridja Bakayoko (bakayokod@un.org)

All allegations of serious misconduct should be reported immediately to CDT for appropriate assessment and further action. Allegations of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse should also be reported directly to CDT HQ or CDT Field Officers deployed to the various field locations.

All allegations should be reported in good faith. Deliberately making false allegations or reporting allegations with malicious intent, if substantiated, constitute misconduct and are subject to disciplinary action.

All information is treated confidentially while according due process to all parties and taking into consideration the safety, security and well-being of the parties involved.

Mandatory Conduct and Discipline On-line training for personnel:

  • UN standards of Conduct
  • Protection from SEA for staff members/managers
  • Integrity Awareness
  • Prevention of workplace harassment, including sexual harassment, discrimination and abuse of authority

Who’s Who in CDT?

  • Ghandi Shukry, Chief Conduct and Discipline Team | shukry@un.org | minusca-cdt-chief@un.org | Tel: +236 75 98 03 08 | UN Ext: 173-5143
  • Diakaridja Bakayoko, Deputy Chief, Senior Conduct and Discipline Officer | bakayokod@un.org | Tel: +236 75 98 04 16 | UN Ext: 173-4473

Website: https://conduct.unmissions.org