Inner City Press: Global Inner Cities Report

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June 21, 2021

In UN 1-Man Election Guterres Grabs 5 More Years Then Lies He's For Press Freedom

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Podcast
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN

SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 18 – After a one-man election campaign, with at least seven opposition candidates entirely blocked, Antonio Guterres was coronated to another term as UN Secretary General on June 18.

Inner City Press, banned from the UN by Guterres for 1082 days and counting, live tweeted it here and podcast here)

Asia Pacific Group speaker says it made it easier that there was only one candidate (allowed) African Group speaker does not mention Antonio Guterres shameless records on the killings in Cameroon, nor the serious questions about discrimination raised by UN staff, here.

Now Slovakia for Eastern European Group says @AntonioGuterres has countered sexual exploitation and abuse (while Guterres covered up for Hochschild, and withholding peacekeeper rape info); claims "openness" though Inner City Press banned 1082 days & counting Now Costa Rica for "GRULAC" (Latin America and Caribbean Group) cites Antonio Guterres ' "attention to detail" - some say, mostly on retaliation and targeted censorship and ban of Press asking questions, here.

Now an active co-conspirator in the 1-man election, Barbara Woodward of @UKUN_NewYork who as UNSC President refused to circulate or even acknowledge opposition candidates' submissions to her, and kept Press banned, so no questions on Cameroon, praises @AntonioGuterres

Speaking for @USUN "host country" (which for now does not uphold US First Amendment at the UN in NYC), it's not @LindaT_G (who was at the #Juneteenth announcement in DC), rather it's Jeffrey DeLaurentis, who's been directly told of SG censorship - and?

Now speech by Portugal, which foisted @AntonioGuterres on the UN (and victimized countries like Cameroon & Honduras & #
Yemen & Haiti) for now more than five years. It is shameful that all opposition candidacies were thrown in the garbage can. Scrutiny needed

Now this UNGA 1-candidate coronation "by acclamation" is over. Inner City Press is now going to cover actual news @SDNYLIVE court - but will have more on the need for increased scrutiny of and accountability from the UN

Afterwards, Guterres took five hand-picked questions, one in Portuguese (a second answer, he started in Portuguese), then concluded claiming he is committed to press freedom - this while banning critical Inner City Press from the UN and its briefings for 1082 days and counting. This cannot stand. Watch this site

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June 14, 2021

Two-Man Race Has Maldives Shahid as PGA While 1-Man Dear Leader Guterres Bans Press

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Periscope
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - CJR - PFT

UN GATE, June 7 – In the United Nations from which Secretary General Antonio Guterres has banned Inner City Press 1069 days for asking about his complicity in the killing of civilians in Cameroon, poisoning them in Haiti with cholera and COVID in South Sudan, and their mass imprisonment by China in Xinjiang), now Guterres stands poises to grab five more years - in a one-man "election" while blocking at least seven opponents.

By contrast, for UN PGA on June 7 there were at least two candidates, see Inner City Press tweet here.

Afterward, hypocritical one-man election Dear Leader Guterres said, "Mr. Abdulla Shahid will bring unique insights to the 76th session of the General Assembly, as we prepare for COP26 in Glasgow in November. I also want to express my deep appreciation to His Excellency Dr. Zalmai Rassoul, and thank him for contributing to this dynamic process." This while Guterres blocks seven opponents. He is killing the UN.

June's non-communicative president of the UN Security Council, Estonia's Sven Jurgenson, refuses questions on the legal basis but said the UNSG will do its part on June 7.

UN PGA Volkan Bozkir's spokesman Brenden Varman, who blocks Inner City Press on Twitter, quickly said the GA will follow suit in June. So Guterres says, the theft completed, he'll open the UN - all the better to take bribes in - on July 6. Today's UN is lawless and unaccountable.

On May 28 Inner City Press wrote to the Mission of Estonia, as incoming UN Security Council president, with questions including about Cameroon, Belarus, Honduras, Yemen, Western Sahara, Haiti and Libya.

Four days later, no answers - and PR Sven Jurgenson has without irony said that blocking opposition is fine, as is a one-man "election" for Secretary General. He called it legal, without citing any law, and with a Mission not answering its email. ACT, then, is an act.

Inner City Press live tweeted Jurgenson's press-less press conference, here, and will continue. And, Shahid should be sure to dump Brenden Varma, the revolving door PGA spokesperson who blocks Inner City Press on Twitter and refuses all of its questions - and, reverse the ban, allow access - watch this site.

June 7, 2021

UN Guterres Now Says Re-open HQ July 6 Once He's Stolen 5 More Years, Banning Press

By Matthew Russell Lee Exclusive Patreon Song
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN

SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 5 – How corrupt and undemocratic is today's United Nations?

Well, now that Antonio Guterres is pushing for a second five-year term, while banning the Press for the 1069th day for daring to ask about his finances and failures, he has collaborators.

Estonia and its ambassador Sven Jurgenson, refusing to answer Press questions, have lined up a Security Council rubber stamping of Guterres' second term for June 8. Estonia refused to circulate, or even summarized, 7 opponents' CVs.

So not Guterres, who initially said he'd keep UNHQ closed to September, suddenly reverses course and say to reopen on July 6, once he has five more years to work and steal with:

From: BROADCAST United Nations <broadcast-unitednations@un.org> Sent: Thursday, June 3, 2021 10:07:11 PM To: Broadcast - UNHQ NY Secretariat <Broadcast-UNHQ-NY-Secretariat@un.org>; Broadcast - Agencies, Funds and Programmes <broadcast-agencies-funds-and-programmes@un.org> Subject: Letter from the Secretary-General to all NY-based staff || Lettre du Secrétaire général au personnel basé à New York [Version française ci-dessous] Dear New York-based Colleagues, I am writing to update you on plans for a gradual return to the United Nations premises in New York and the resumption of in-person work in the coming months. As you know, our premises have been open throughout the pandemic, and some staff have continued to work in-person, when their functions either could not be performed remotely, or when remote work would have impacted their effectiveness and efficiency. I thank these colleagues for their dedication and commitment; we all owe them a debt of gratitude. I also thank colleagues who have been working diligently remotely. Thanks to you, the critical work of the United Nations has continued without any major disruptions. Since my last update on 22 April 2021 about the phased return to our premises, the COVID-19 positivity rate in New York has fallen significantly and vaccines have become widely available in the Tri-State Area and in New York City. The New York authorities at both City and State levels have announced that following their consideration of the relevant Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, restrictions on travel and gathering of people, including wearing of masks and physical distancing requirements, can now be eased in certain settings. In line with these improved conditions and local guidelines, and following recommendations from the Senior Emergency Policy Team, I am pleased to inform you that as of 6 July 2021, the United Nations Headquarters in New York will meet the requirements to re-open fully for in-person business, subject to maximum building occupancy limits as applicable. This means that from 6 July 2021, all personnel who have been working remotely five days a week since alternate working arrangements were mandated in March 2020 will be expected to gradually to return to the workplace. Among other things, this will enable us to provide the necessary support to Member States, who are keen to resume work in the United Nations building. This does not mean a return en masse to the office in July; nor does it mean a reversion to pre-March 2020 working patterns. The transition to a full return will be gradual, and we are committed to learning the lessons of the past year. As a starting point, from 6 July 2021, all personnel will be expected to perform their functions on premises, one or more days a week, according to a schedule to be established by each team in consultation with their entity’s occupational safety and health focal point. I know that some of you, due to exceptional circumstances, might have agreed with your manager to return to the duty station at a date later than 6 July. In such circumstances, I am asking managers to honour these commitments, work permitting, and allow you to return no later than 1 September 2021. All personnel working away from the duty station must be back at UNHQ by this date.... I hope to see many of you in person soon. Yours sincerely, António Guterres."

From late April, here was Guterres' mumbo jumbo pushing the return to September, by which time he hoped to have a 2d term in hand (but then the corruption moved faster)

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Periscope
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - CJR - PFT

UN GATE, May 9 – In the United Nations from which Secretary General Antonio Guterres has banned Inner City Press 1062 days for asking about his complicity in the killing of civilians in Cameroon, poisoning them in Haiti with cholera and COVID in South Sudan, and their mass imprisonment by China in Xinjiang, on May 28 Inner City Press wrote to the Mission of Estonia, as incoming UN Security Council president, with questions including about Cameroon, Honduras, Yemen, Western Sahara, Haiti and Libya:

"This is a timely request that you sent Inner City Press the pass code(s) to access your UNSC Presidency press briefing on June 1 at 3 pm. I have questions to ask on what you will do this month about the conflicts in Myanmar, Cameroon, Yemen and Libya - and on the sexual harassment charges against Fabrizio Hochschild on which Inner City Press first reported in April 2019, for example - Inner City Press is asking to be provided with access / the passwords to your Estonia mission's stakeouts and press conferences this month as UNSC President. As I hear that you may be moving the Council back into its Chamber, either way I would also like to ask you to instruct MALU / USG-DGC Fleming to allow me to enter to cover it, for Inner City Press. I should be allow to put question to Estonia Mission as UNSC President

Be aware that I for Inner City Press am invited to ask questions by the IMF at its briefings (see, e.g., May 20 here, and Wilson Center on May 20, 2021 on North Korea, here

and May 27, 2021 "Briefing with Acting Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Julie Chung On the Secretary’s Upcoming Travel to San Jose, Costa Rica," "Let’s go the line Matthew Russell Lee. QUESTION: Sure. Thanks a lot and thanks for taking the question. I had wanted to ask specifically about Honduras. There have been a series of cases in the Southern District of New York where the brother of the president, Juan Orlando Hernandez, his brother Tony was convicted of drug trafficking," here.

Separately, given that I have submitted to the PGA a letter and CV in connection with SG election process, to cause a debate on UN press freedom and accountability, this is a formal request that you circulate my and other candidates' letter and CVs to member states, or immediately inform me why not, given that no written rule required a member state's endorsement to run. Please immediately confirm receipt, and provide the passcode or state why not."

This is to Permanent Representative Sven Jürgenson and others -- Watch this site.

May 24, 2021

UN Guterres Cover Up of Hochschild Hands Down Pants Partially Picked Up By Politico

By Matthew Russell Lee, Exclusive CJR Video

UN GATE, May 20 – How corrupt and hypocritical is the United Nations of Secretary General Antonio Guterres? He covered up for two years on seuxal harassment by his friend Fabrizio Hochschild, as banned Inner City Press asked him about it in writing. Then on January 28 Guterres lied and said he'd only found out days before. Video here.

This lie came in a Press-less press conference. State media of Turkey, Qatar, as well as Reuters and the NYT, helped Guterres by not asking about the belated suspension of Hochschild.

Now 17 weeks later, POLITICO's Melissa Heikkila and contributor Ryan Heath have reported on the Hochschild case - good - while focusing on Guterres' chef de cabinet having known, and not what leaked audio published by Inner City Press already showed. Guterres himself was informed, and told the Office of Internal Oversight Services, Back off. Shared audio here

With the Administration in DC poised to let Guterres grab another five year term, blocking all opponents like Inner City Press, will POLITICO push further, including on Guterres' censorship? Watch this site - and this question:

how does the UN allow into its briefing Heikkila from Europe while banning in New York Inner City Press, on the same day it put questions to the Wilson Center and IMF in DC? Guterres is a censor.

Back on February 1, equally duplicitous spokesman Stephane Dujarric while refusing all written questions by Inner City Press said this: "There are procedures that are in place. My understanding is that OIOS (Office of Internal Oversight Services) then flags it once they have a certain level of confidence on the charges and that they have... on the ‑‑ excuse me ‑‑ confidence on the allegations and that they've interviewed a number of people, and so they were following their procedures. I can share with you, a bit later today, sort of the... nothing on the individuality of the case, obviously, but just what we... the kind of procedures that are followed." Share what? When? With whom? We'll have more on this.

So much so that while Guterres claims zero tolerance and to be a feminist, he twice rewarded and covered up sexual misconduct in his own office. Inner City Press before May 2019 reported the #MeToo abuses of Fabrizio Hochschild, and asked Guterres in writing about them, with no answer. It published audio leaked to it; its exclusive was picked up here for example.

Now on January 28, this: "UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said that the head of the Organization, Antonio Guterres, took " very seriously any allegation of harassment, abuse of power, discrimination or sexual harassment ”. After " allegations of possible prohibited conduct against Fabrizio Hochschild were brought to his attention ", a suspension of functions was decided during an internal investigation. Once achieved, " the secretary general will act quickly and take appropriate action on the basis of the findings, " added the spokesperson."

But AFP sources it to a pro-Guterres in-house publication which said Guterres gets a "B" from feminists. What a joke - it is Guterres who should be ousted, for censorship to cover up rapes, by Karim Elkorany (UN staff in Iraq) and Peacekeepers in DRC and CAR. We'll have more on this.

In a musical chairs personnel move on April 18, 2019, a day after he continued his now 935 day censorship of the Press, Guterres named as his new Assistant Secretary-General for Strategic Coordination one Volker Türk, who when Inner City Press asked him about refugees chased by Paul Biya's Cameroon army into Nigeria seemed not to know about it. Guterres, as we have reported, not only took a golden statue from Biya, but went silent on the killings since Cameroon was chair of the UN Budget Committee.

But it's worse: Turk took the position from Fabrizio Hochschild Drummond of Chile "who was appointed as Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on the Preparations for the Commemoration of the United Nations’ 75th Anniversary." This promotion was, ghoulishly, Guterres rewarding what multiple staff say was Hochschild's relationship with another junior staff member.

On January 22 with the failed 75th anniversary complete with the censorship of critical views, Guterres recycled this abuser as his chief of technology, while still refusing all questions from Inner City Press - which was answered on Jan 22 by Andrew Yang, and by the IMF and others.

And on January 23, from UN staff who know, this came to Inner City Press: "What is actually most astonishing about this appointment is that a Secretary-General who claims that the UN under his leadership is making the impact of technology on human rights a priority has chosen as his "Tech Envoy" someone who profoundly ignorant of technology. Without his talking points prepared by others, he is instantly lost on any technical topic. He has no clue what a blockchain is, what machine learning is, etc. How can you be an "envoy" to a community that you neither understand nor respect?"

Guterres and those around him are corrupt.

May 17, 2021

To UN Opposing Guterres Inner City Press Filed to PGA As Did Whistleblower Now UN Swats

By Matthew Russell Lee Exclusive Patreon Song
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN

SDNY COURTHOUSE, May 15 – How corrupt and undemocratic is today's United Nations? Now they have sent Swiss police to the house of a whistleblower who, like Inner City Press, timely filed to oppose a second term for Antonio Guterres.

Now that Guterres is pushing for that second five-year term, while banning the Press for the 1048th day for daring to ask about his finances and failures, he has collaborators.

But throughout February 2021 (and since) Bozkir refused to circulate the letter of UN staffer candidate Arora Akanksha.

Bozkir's spokesman Brendan Varma, who blocks Inner City Press on Twitter, continues to dance around what the rules are and won't answer.

So, as a test - and to raise the issue of the UN's lack of content neutral media access rules, lack of a Freedom of Information Act (fought for the Free UN Coalition for Access) and lack of scruples - Inner City Press on the morning of February 26 submitted a signed letter and C.V. to the PGA's Office and to Varma. Since then, dodging and blockage, now of six

From: Emma Reilly Date: Tue, Mar 30, 2021 at 10:39 PM
Subject: Application for post of Secretary-General
To: opga@un.org, tegan.brink@un.org, usun.newyork Matthew R. Lee (@InnerCityPress / @MatthewLeeICP)

Your Excellencies, Kindly find attached my application for the post of Secretary-General, along with a document outlining accountability gaps that serves as my vision statement. As I note in my cover letter, I intend this application to raise necessary questions about UN reform, ensuring that election by acclamation is not abused to further weaken accountability of UN staff who commit misconduct. I look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, Emma Reilly.

And how did Emma Reilly hear back from the UN of Guterres? She says they sent Swiss Police to her home, ironically while she was supposed to be on a Zoom meeting about whistleblowers, see here.

It's called swatting. This is how corrupt the UN has become under Guterres, who Emma Reilly says should resign. Inner City Press - and many others - agree. Watch this site.

May 10, 2021

Antonio Guterres Holds 1-Man Debate To Steal 2d Term As UNSG Blocking All Opponents

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN

UN GATE, May 7 – While blocking at least seven opponents from even having their applications circulated, Antonio Guterres on May 7 held a ghoulish one-man "debate" on the road to stealing a second five-year term as UN Secretary General. Inner City Press live tweeted it, here:

In UN Inner City Press is banned from for 1040th day by this corrupt UN$G @AntonioGuterres , he is holding a ghoulish one-man "debate" to steal a 2d five year term. He just said "surge of diplomacy" when he's failed on #Cameroon #Yemen #Honduras.Thread follows

1st speaker cites "transparent and open process" - when all seven timely opponents to Guterres have had their applications blocked and not circulated, and the Press which asks about Guterres' links to convicted UN bribers is banned

2d Speaker shows how far "Accountability, Coherence & Transparency" group has fallen. They have allowed Guterres and @UN_PGA @Volkan_Bozkir to block all opponents to Guterres, no CVs circulated. They have colluded in his censorship, too

3d Speaker is #ElSalvador, where Bukele just fired the judges to extend his power. In the UN there *are* not judges - they can just throw the applications of opposition candidates into the garbage can. Guterres' negative examples include censorship and hypocrisy

Now @AntonioGuterres says he has proposed 12 possible envoys on #WesternSahara, none accepted. Inner City Press: this is Guterres' failure and lack of will, and his colonial proclivities as shown in #Cameroon. No one has asked about Hochschild, Guterres #MeToo

This @OlofBSkoog was on the UN Security Council when @AntonioGuterres has Inner City Press roughed up and banned. When asked about it, he said, "What can I do?" Has still done nothing on it at @EUatUN . If these states cannot stop SG censoring, #UNisUseless

Now another big supporter of Big Tony - they are emboldened by @AntonioGuterres unaccountable use of force against the Press, and went (much) further.

In fairness, @BelgiumUN just asked (albeit vaguely) about sexual harassment. Inner City Press: Say the name! Fabrizio Hochschild! Why did @AntonioGuterres cover up for him? And order Inner City Press to destroy evidence of Padula's abuses after exposed in UNDT?

Now @AntonioGuterres thanks #SaudiArabia for its "flexibility" - on what, respecting the "physical integrity" of journalists? #BirdsOfaFeather

Another big supporter of Big Tony @AntonioGuterres , Equatorial Guinea. Another old leader holding on, who also mis-treats journalists.

First real question, given @AntonioGuterres ' terrible record of the past four and a half years: NGO asks about the massive increase under Guterres in UN sexual abuse cases, with no accountable. Asks, what will Guterres do? Answer: Nothing. Only cover up.

Here it is: #Cameroon's Tommo Monthe, who bragged to Inner City Press that while he was chair of the UN Budget Committee and met with @AntonioGuterres , his president Biya's mass killing of Anglophones never came up, offers support to Guterres to finish. #Genocide

The @UN_PGA @Zolkan_Bozkir, who has blocked all opponents to @AntonioGuterres , claimed he had to stop at 1 pm. But now at 1:01 pm he gives floor to #Qatar. #MoneyTalks #UNforSale #GuterresForSale

Lying to the end, @AntonioGuterres ends it with 10 countries not allowed to speak, he says "all questions will be answered"- while he has banned Inner City Press 1040 days and his @UN_Spokesperson refuses all of its written questions, lying

May 3, 2021

To UN Opposing Guterres Inner City Press Filed to PGA, Before 1-Man Debate Talk of Arteaga

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Song
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN

SDNY COURTHOUSE, April 29 – How corrupt and undemocratic is today's United Nations?

Well, now that Antonio Guterres is pushing for a second five-year term, while banning the Press for the 1032nd day for daring to ask about his finances and failures, he has collaborators.

"Ms. Arteaga is an Ecuadorian politician, writer, lawyer and social activist. She was the first female President and Vice-President of Ecuador. Previous Minister of Education and Vice-minister of Culture, General Secretary of Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO)." Will Bozkir, Guterres, Vietnam, China and the US block her, as the other six? And if not, could any head of state, even a(nother) dictator, run and debate Guterres, while no one else could? There are many fake opponents. The UN could only be fixed from outside.

But throughout February, March and now April 2021, Bozkir refused to circulate any letters or CVs. Guterres will do anything for a 2d term.

Including giving out jobs, during the campaign, to people who were supposed to oversee him. With all due respect, it is a conflict of interest. On April 26, "United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today announced the appointment of Courtenay Rattray of Jamaica as High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States... Currently Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the United Nations in New York, Mr. Rattray also serves as Co-chair of the Group of Friends of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Financing; Children and the SDGs; as well as the Group of Friends of Decent Work. He has served as Chairperson of several key initiatives, including the 52nd session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD52) in 2019, Co-facilitator for the Conclusions and Recommendations of the 2018 Financing for Development Forum... Prior to his current position, he was Ambassador of Jamaica to the People’s Republic of China in Beijing (2008-2013)." We'll have more on this - Inner City Press is still banned from the UN, no answers to questions, we will not cease.

Bozkir's spokesman Brendan Varma, who blocks Inner City Press on Twitter, continues to dance around what the rules are and won't answer.

By Matthew Russell Lee Exclusive Patreon Song
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN

SDNY COURTHOUSE, April 23 – How corrupt and undemocratic is today's United Nations?

Well, now that Antonio Guterres is pushing for a second five-year term, while banning the Press for the 1025th day for daring to ask about his finances and failures, he has collaborators.

The current President of the General Assembly Volkan Bozkir, a strongman from Turkey who due to his bigoted comments even pro-UN New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio wouldn't meet with, has the duty of circulating letters from candidates. He didn't; Inner City Press applied. Now it is among six opponents blocks.

And now, in late April, here is Guterres' mumbo jumbo pushing the return to September, by which time he hopes to have a 2d term in hand:

"Thu 4/22/2021 4:57 PM Dear New York-based Colleagues, I am writing to provide an update on our phased return to the premises in New York. We currently remain in Phase 2 of our return, which sets maximum occupancy limits with current Host Government physical distancing restrictions. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause massive disruption globally, and in every facet of people’s lives. While the situation in New York continues to be of concern, there are signs of hope. Recent key indicators of the pandemic in the city point to improvement compared to my last update in February. Yet, with COVID-19 still spreading and the effects of the variants unknown, we must remain vigilant and continue to apply all the safety measures we have put in place. The roll-out of the vaccination programme in New York has allowed many personnel and their families to be vaccinated, thus protecting themselves and their communities. While COVID-19 vaccination is voluntary and not a requirement for return to the physical workplace, I encourage all of you and your families to receive the vaccine, so that we can recover better together from this pandemic. In February, I mentioned the commencement of the planning and design of the post COVID-19 Next Normal for Headquarters. The cross-functional project team recently submitted to me a comprehensive set of recommendations. I have requested some further work, including the conduct of a staff survey, before finalizing the plan. I encourage all of you to complete the survey when you receive it. Our transition from Phase 2 to the Next Normal will be gradual and based on a constant risk assessment that will also take into account and adapt to New York City and State regulations and the easing of restrictions. Please note that the previously-issued policy guidance on who is required to return to the workplace at Headquarters for Phase 2 remains in effect, though updated guidance will be circulated shortly. Personnel required to be present in-person include those required to perform essential on-site functions and who are not in high-risk groups. In addition, those expressing a preference to work on site are welcome to do so, as we are still well under the maximum occupancy limits and can safely accommodate more staff at this time. That said, you will still need to get approval from your entity focal point to be on the premises, as we must ensure that the required six-foot distancing is maintained on individual floors. Managers should also continue to exercise flexibility, understanding and care when discussing options with their personnel. Considerations regarding how best to bring about the gradual increase of presence in the workplace are ongoing. The New York Occupational Safety and Health Committee will continue to develop options for this transition, and will hold a town hall meeting in May to share these options and address your questions and concerns. I would like to assure you that the extensive physical risk mitigation measures in place throughout our premises in New York have been effective and have led to a decrease in risk levels to low. Maximum occupancy limits for proper physical distancing and other safety measures, such as the requirement to wear a face covering, will remain in effect for as long as needed to support the safety and health of all United Nations personnel. I understand that many of you would like to make plans for the coming months, including those related to childcare, vacations and other logistics. Although we do not yet know for certain when we will enter our Next Normal, it is not expected to be before September. You should therefore feel comfortable to plan accordingly. I am deeply aware of the impact the prolonged pandemic is having on mental health and well-being, which we continue to address. I would like to, once again, express my thanks to you. I must commend the dedication and commitment of all of you, and of our essential front-line colleagues in particular who have been present on site since the start of the pandemic, to ensure the continuation of our work here at Headquarters in New York and around the world. Yours sincerely, António Guterres."

Corrupt.

Bozkir's spokesman Brendan Varma, who blocks Inner City Press on Twitter, continues to dance around what the rules are and won't answer.

Pakistan supports Guterres, here. Apparently, Paul Biya's Cameroon and other states like that of narco Juan Orlando Hernandez are asked to be more quiet with their support for their favorite dictator supporter, Antonio Guterres, for now. Watch this site.

April 19, 2021

To UN vs Guterres Inner City Press Filed to PGA Now He Won't Confer with SC Prez Due To Guterres

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Song
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN

SDNY COURTHOUSE, April 16 – How corrupt and undemocratic is today's United Nations?

Well, now that Antonio Guterres is pushing for a second five-year term, while banning the Press for the 1014th day for daring to ask about his finances and failures, he has collaborators.

But his censoring spokesman Brenden Varma on April 16 said when Bozkir meets UNSC President Viet Nam on April 19, they will NOT even discuss circulating the names of opponents -- because corrupt Guterres has decided to attend the meeting. The UN has turned into a travesty of democracy.

As of April 9, while on an autocracy tour to his native Turkey as well as payers Qatar and Azerbaijan, Bozkir hadn't even conveyed the names of opponents to UNSC President Viet Nam, video here. Now he's back - but will quarantine, it seems, after his junket.

On April 9, Bozkir's deputy spokesperson - being paid by the UK? - Amy Quantrill refused to answer written questions from Inner City Press. In the briefing room, to blue wash questions, she said just look on Twitter to see how says they're opposing Guterres.

On April 10, Inner City Press searched Twitter for "UNSG candidates." Here. The first result was from 2016; the second and third, from Inner City Press in 2021. Ironically, the fourth (here) was from 2016, of ten candidates - but the UN_PGA account now links to Volkan Bozkir, who is blocking all candidates except Guterres.

On April 12, Quantrill blandly stated that there is one candidate, and six "applicants." No justification for not circulating the applicants was offered, and the state media correspondents allowed in did not ask for one. This is today's UN.

April 12, 2021

To UN vs Guterres Inner City Press Filed to PGA Whose Spox Quantrill Refuses Questions

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Song
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN

SDNY COURTHOUSE, April 9 – How corrupt and undemocratic is today's United Nations?

Well, now that Antonio Guterres is pushing for a second five-year term, while banning the Press for the 1011th day for daring to ask about his finances and failures, he has collaborators.

The current President of the General Assembly Volkan Bozkir, a strongman from Turkey who due to his bigoted comments even pro-UN New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio wouldn't meet with, has the duty of circulating letters from candidates. But as of April 9, while on a junket to his native Turkey as well as payers Qatar and Azerbaijan, Bozkir hadn't even conveyed the names of opponents to UNSC President Viet Nam, video here.

"Did PGA pass the letters and CVs of "prospective candidates" to UNSC Prez Viet Nam before his trip to Turkey etc? Who pays each member of the PGA Office staff? Who pays you, Deputy Spokesperson? On deadline."

That today's UN won't even answer these basic questions, how it (mis) uses public funds, says it all.

April 5, 2021

To UN Opposing Guterres Inner City Press Filed to PGA As Even Blue Washers Take a Pass on Q

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Song
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN

SDNY COURTHOUSE, April 1 – How corrupt and undemocratic is today's United Nations?

Well, now that Antonio Guterres is pushing for a second five-year term, while banning the Press for the 1003rd day for daring to ask about his finances and failures, he has collaborators.

But throughout February and now March 2021, Bozkir refused to circulate the letter of UN staffer candidate Arora Akanksha.

Bozkir's spokesman Brendan Varma, who blocks Inner City Press on Twitter, continues to dance around what the rules are and won't answer.

But it is not only Bozkir and his censoring spokesman Brenden Varma who cover up the names of those running. Even the friendly Blue opposition refuses to name names, all the while offering praise of rape-denying Guterres. Inner City Press submitted this question, twice, to their panelists:

"How can this be considered a legitimate election when there is nowhere to file legal challenges, for example to the 'unwritten rule' that candidates should have endorsement of a member states? And about Guterres abusing the power of incumbency, using UN Spokesman Dujarric as his campaign spokesman, and spending the public's money to campaign? -Matthew Russell Lee, Inner City Press, banned from the UN 1003 days and counting by Guterres."

And while taking half-baked questions, from a Mr. Gomez, about WFUNA, the above question they refused to read out much less answer. The panelists who got it: Kristen Saloomey of AJE whose James Bays worked with Stephane Dujarric to get Inner City Press banned,Dulcie Leimbach, Stephanie Fillion and Sonah Lee-Lassiter. Every day is a new day, but this is why the UN remains corrupt.

March 29, 2021

As Blinken Zooms To UN Questions of SG Candidates Blocked & Cameroon Posed by Press

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Transcript
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN

UN GATE / SDNY, March 26 – With US Secretary of State Antony Blinken headed to the United Nations on March 29, if only virtually, on March 26 Inner City Press asked Department of State Bureau of International Organization Affairs Senior Bureau Official Erica Barks-Ruggles two questions about the UN.

First, Inner City Press asked why the US Mission has declined, during its now-waning UN Security Council presidency, to circulate to the other member states the at least four names of opponents to Antonio Guterres for the position of UN Secretary General.

The Office of the President of the General Assembly Volkan Bozkir - a man who complained that NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio would not meet with him, which Inner City Press linked to Bozkir's previous bigoted statements it has reported on - has repeatedly said he shared the four names with US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield.

But none have been circulated, despite the fact that the applicable UNGA resolution does not require, as Guterres and his supporters are trying to imply, that only candidates submitted by and beholden to a member state get circulated.

Erica Barks-Ruggles replied that the Secretary General issue would be on Secretary Blinken's agenda during his virtual visit.

Inner City Press would ask a follow up, but despite being accredited at the IMF, and in-house Press at the SDNY court, the UN under Guterres does not allow Inner City Press in to its briefings, even by WebEx. For that reason, and in full disclosure, it is one of the four. We will have more on this.

Inner City Press also asked if the Biden Administration sees any UN role in addressing the ongoing mass killings in the Anglophone areas of Cameroon.

Erica Barks-Ruggles apologized for not having more, noting that the UN Security Council has not taken up Cameroon.

Inner City Press might well have asked the same about Honduras, whose president Juan Orlando Hernandez was just showed up in the SDNY as linked to narco-trafficking.

Here's the transcript:

MS PORTER: I think it’s safe to move along. We will go to the line of Matthew Russell Lee. QUESTION: Great, thanks a lot. Thanks for taking the question. One of the controversies right now in the UN is this – if Antonio Guterres is up for re-election, and the question is whether there will be other candidates. There are at least four candidates who have provided names and CVs, but they haven’t been circulated to the member-states both by the president of the General Assembly you mentioned and even by the U.S. mission this month, the president of the Security Council. I wanted to know what’s the administration’s – I mean, does that seem right? Is that something that the Secretary’s going to discuss? And what’s the mission’s thinking on not having circulated names during this month?

And one other thing, it’s something that the UN has – the council has not worked on, but does the administration think that there’s a UN role in dealing with the ongoing kind of mass killings in the Anglophone areas of Cameroon? The issue has been going on for some years and the Council has had a few AOBs, but never actually met on or done anything on. Thanks a lot.

AMBASSADOR BARKS-RUGGLES: On the secretary-general race, we, of course, as members of the Council and permanent members of the Council, will be very much engaged in this process. We obviously work closely with the current secretary-general and will look forward to that strong and constructive relationship continuing, and I think that that’s – that will be part of the discussions that Secretary Blinken will have with the secretary-general. But I’m not going to get into the details of diplomatic discussions. On Cameroon, I’m sorry. I don’t have anything for you on that at this point. It has not been discussed in the Security Council up to this point

We'll have more on this as well. Watch this site.
March 22, 2021

To UN Opposing Guterres Inner City Press Filed to PGA Spox Varma Cites UNwritten Rules

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Song
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras - ESPN

SDNY COURTHOUSE, March 20 – How corrupt and undemocratic is today's United Nations?

Well, now that Antonio Guterres is pushing for a second five-year term, while banning the Press for the 991th day for daring to ask about his finances and failures, he has collaborators.

But throughout February and now March 2021, Bozkir refused to circulate the letter of UN staffer candidate Arora Akanksha.

Bozkir's spokesman Brendan Varma, who blocks Inner City Press on Twitter, continues to dance around what the rules are and won't answer.

Now in March, from inside the UN, this: "the website on the process still shows only one candidate, Guterres. One applicant is Arora Akanksha; another may be Matthew Russell Lee, according to his Twitter account; neither person has a national endorsement, which could prevent them from being considered official candidates."

There is no written rule on that. The UN is lawless, promoting continued rule by a corrupt censor, Antonio Guterres.

Later in March: "SPOKESPERSON FIELDS QUESTIONS ON SECRETARY-GENERAL SELECTION & APPOINTMENT PROCESS Asked to comment on whether the next Secretary-General should be a woman, the Spokesperson said that, as the President had already said, that was a matter for Member States. Replying to a further question on the Secretary-General selection and appointment process, the Spokesperson said that, if Member States presented candidates, those names would be circulated to all Member States, as per the joint letter on this topic from the Presidents of the General Assembly and Security Council, and then made public." Again, that is not the rule. These people are corrupt.

March 15, 2021

After UN Guterres Banned Honduras Q By Inner City Press His Rep Does Selfies With Military

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon, Thread Video
Honduras - The Source - The Root - etc

SDNY COURTHOUSE, March 12 – The hypocrisy of the UN of Antonio Guterres and the corruption of a president he partners with, Juan Orlando Herandez, was reported on by Inner City Press on October 18, 2019 with the SDNY guilty verdicts against presidential brother Tony Hernandez.

Now in March 2021, with Inner City Press banned for its questions from the UN by Guterres, he has made it even more corrupt during the trial of Geovanny Fuentes-Ramirez, who also paid bribes to JOH (and others).

Guterres' Italian representative in Honduras, Alice H. Shackelford, on the very day that Devis Leonel Rivera Maradiaga was testifying about bribing JOH and working with the Honduran military to move cocaine, tweeted a photo of herself with a Honduras military figure, here.

Mrs. Sheckelford has no excuse: the UN has bragged that she has a law degree from the University of Padova.

It is shocking, but entirely typical of how low Guterres has brought the UN while now seeking to steal a second five-year term. See here.

We'll have more on this.

March 8, 2021

UN Guterres Gets 2d Complaint of Dujarric Lying of Spying For CCP Banned Press Pursues

By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Song
BBC - Guardian UK - Honduras -