Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ

2021-Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT-1182

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT Held or Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDT Pronouncements

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT held that the evidence was clear and convincing that the Appellant was under the influence of alcohol when he got into his car before the accident occurred and that the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDT erred in concluding otherwise. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT held that his conduct was in violation of Staff Regulation 1.2(f) and the MINUSMA Code of Conduct. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT held that: there was no evidence on record that the Appellant was authorised to carry his firearm while off-duty; that, on the contrary, the evidence on record showed that normally security guards did not carry their weapons off-duty; and Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDT erred in finding that the charge of carrying a Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ-issued weapon while off duty and without authorisation was not substantiated. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT held that there was clear and convincing evidence that the Appellant carried his weapon at the time of the accident and that Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDT erred in, inter alia, finding that there was no clear and convincing evidence that the Appellant was in possession of the firearm after having consumed alcohol and that the charge of carrying a service weapon after having consumed alcohol was unsubstantiated. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT held that the finding that the Appellant drove under the influence of alcohol while in possession of an unauthorised weapon, together with the offence of travelling without insurance, justified the sanction of dismissal, which was proportionate in the circumstances. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµAT granted the appeal and reversed the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDT Judgment.

Decision Contested or Judgment/Order Appealed

The Applicant contested the decision to separate him from service with compensation in lieu of notice and termination indemnity as a disciplinary sanction for serious misconduct in the form of, inter alia, carrying a Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ firearm without proper authorisation while off-duty. Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµDT rescinded the contested decision, set aside the sanction and ordered reinstatement or compensation in lieu.

Legal Principle(s)

Drinking and driving is conduct unbefitting of an international civil servant and is not permitted under the United Nations legal framework.

Outcome

Appeal granted

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The judgment summaries were generally prepared in English. They were translated into French and are being reviewed for accuracy of the translation.