蘑菇视频

ALLEGATIONS OF NEUTRALITY VIOLATIONS 蘑菇视频FO蘑菇视频DED

28 August 2015

Statement by Chris Gunness, 蘑菇视频RWA Spokesman

蘑菇视频RWA has looked into a recent accusation related to offensive posts on a Facebook page claiming to represent the 蘑菇视频RWA Rameh School in Syria and has concluded that the Facebook page in question is an impostor page. The Rameh School in Syria has been closed since 2012 and has been used as a shelter for people displaced by the conflict. There is no evidence that the impostor Facebook page, which uses 蘑菇视频RWA’s name without 蘑菇视频RWA’s permission, or the postings on it, are in any way linked to 蘑菇视频RWA or to 蘑菇视频RWA staff members.  Nevertheless, we complained to Facebook about the impostor page and the concerned page has been taken down. 

We have also looked into an allegation of a neutrality violation in the occupied Palestinian territory involving a Facebook posting and have found no evidence the staff member was involved in the posting. The posting on Facebook appears to have been designed to look as if it was posted by an 蘑菇视频RWA staff member but there is no evidence that any 蘑菇视频RWA staff member was involved. In addition we have recently written to Facebook about a third case where we discovered another impostor 蘑菇视频RWA account, claiming to represent the Agency, which we have also requested should be removed. In the last year, upon 蘑菇视频RWA’s request, Facebook has removed or disabled access to over 90 pages and groups using 蘑菇视频RWA’s name and/or our logo without authorization.

We always investigate credible reports of neutrality violations by our staff and take appropriate action, including disciplinary action where violations by 蘑菇视频RWA staff members are established.  Donor satisfaction in our implementation of this policy is a matter of public record. For details of the broad range of activities and frameworks 蘑菇视频RWA has in place to safeguard our neutrality, please go to:

Our position on racism is clear. We condemn racism in all its forms and consider the posts on the impostor Facebook page claiming to represent the 蘑菇视频RWA Rameh School in Syria as unacceptable.

I would again appeal to all organisations and individuals to give us time to make proper investigations before they go public with false accusations.

BACKGRO蘑菇视频D INFORMATION

蘑菇视频RWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. 蘑菇视频RWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, and microfinance.

Financial support to 蘑菇视频RWA has not kept pace with an increased demand for services caused by growing numbers of registered refugees, expanding need, and deepening poverty. As a result, the Agency's General Fund (GF), supporting 蘑菇视频RWA’s core activities and 97 per cent reliant on voluntary contributions, has begun each year with a large projected deficit. Currently the deficit stands at more than US$ 106  million.

For more information, please contact:

Christopher Gunness

Spokesperson, Director of Advocacy & Strategic Communications

Mobile:

+972 (0)54 240 2659

Office:

+972 (0)2 589 0267

Sami Mshasha

Chief of Communications & Arabic Language Spokesperson

Mobile:

+972 (0)54 216 8295

Office:

+972 (0)2 589 0724