Reporting Misconduct

Misconduct is “any failure by a staff member to comply with his or her obligations under the Charter of the United Nations, the Staff Regulations and Staff Rules or other administrative issuances, or to observe the standards of conduct expected of an international civil servant.”

• Sexual exploitation and abuse of people UNHCR serves.
• Fraud (e.g. falsifying a document to obtain a benefit).
• Corruption (e.g. taking money from refugees or others).
• Fraud related to the registration and resettlement process.
• Theft and embezzlement (e.g. stealing equipment or money).
• Workplace harassment (e.g. treating staff members in an unfair manner).
• Sexual harassment (e.g. unwelcome sexual behaviour).
• Abuse of authority (e.g. showing favouritism or discrimination against staff).
• Assault upon or threats to others.
• Misuse of UNHCR assets.
• Breach of confidentiality.
• Acts or behaviour that would discredit UNHCR.
• Non-compliance with local laws.
• Conflict of interest.
• Abuse of privileges and immunities.
• Gross negligence.
• Unauthorized outside activities or employment.

All assistance and protection services offered for refugees and asylum-seekers are FREE OF CHARGE.  Please be aware that you do not have to pay any money, or accept any favour or trade, either physically or materially (including money, or any other object or services) for any UNHCR or any partner services.

You can confidentially report any violation of this to UNHCR. To report fraud, corruption, sexual abuse or exploitation, or other misconduct contact UNHCR Inspector General Office:

• By confidential email: [email protected]
• By using the 💻 online complaint form
• By post: Rue de Montbrillant 94, 1201 Genève, Switzerland

UNHCR Libya complaint boxes are located in Serraj Office. The complaint procedures allow asylum-seekers or refugees who believe they have been the victim of serious misconduct by UNHCR staff, interpreters, or guards to bring information about the wrongful behaviour to senior management of UNHCR. The UNHCR complaints system addresses instances of serious misconduct or procedural unfairness of a UNHCR staff member, interpreter, or security guard.

To initiate a complaint please share your complaint in the sealed complaints box. Only the most Senior UNHCR staff member in Libya has access to the complaint box and will treat your complaint in a confidential manner.

Please remember that UNHCR and its partners have ZERO TOLERANCE policy when it comes to fraud, corruption, sexual exploitation, harassment, and mistreatment/abuse.

All assistance and protection services offered to refugees and asylum-seekers are FREE OF CHARGE.  Please be aware that you do not have to pay any money or provide any favours to get assistance from UNHCR or our partners. You can confidentially report any violation of this to UNHCR. To report fraud, corruption, sexual abuse or exploitation, or other misconduct contact UNHCR Inspector General Office:

• By confidential email [email protected]
• By using the 💻 online complaint form
• By post: Rue de Montbrillant 94, 1201 Genève, Switzerland

 UNHCR Libya complaint boxes are located in Serraj Office. The complaint procedures allow asylum-seekers or refugees who believe they have been the victim of serious misconduct by UNHCR staff, interpreters, or guards to bring information about the wrongful behaviour to senior management of UNHCR. The UNHCR complaints system addresses instances of serious misconduct or procedural unfairness of a UNHCR staff member, interpreter, or security guard.

To initiate a complaint please share your complaint in the sealed complaints box. Only the most Senior UNHCR staff member in Libya has access to the complaint box and will treat your complaint in a confidential manner.

Please remember that UNHCR and its partners have ZERO TOLERANCE policy when it comes to fraud, corruption, sexual exploitation, harassment, and mistreatment/abuse.

Any act including misrepresentation and/or concealment of material facts that knowingly or intentionally mislead, or attempt to mislead, to obtain a benefit, whether directly or indirectly, whether for oneself or for a third party. Examples of fraudulent acts include:

• Providing false information about one’s personal circumstances to benefit from assistance or service,
• Use of fraudulent documentation or genuine documents in a false manner,
• Soliciting money for personal gain or paying money to benefit from assistance or service (e.g., registration, resettlement),
• Falsely claiming to represent UNHCR, other entities or partner agencies.

Please report any concerns or suspicions of fraud and corruption committed by refugees and asylum seekers to [email protected]. All reports are treated with strict confidentiality.

You can confidentially report any violation of this to UNHCR. To report fraud, corruption, sexual abuse or exploitation, or other misconduct contact UNHCR Inspector General Office:

• By confidential email: [email protected]
• By using the 💻online complaint form
• By post: Rue de Montbrillant 94, 1201 Genève, Switzerland

To initiate a complaint to UNHCR Libya, please share it in the sealed complaints boxes at Serraj Registration office. Only the most Senior UNHCR staff member in Libya has access to the complaint box and will treat your complaint in a confidential manner.

All assistance and protection services offered to refugees and asylum-seekers are FREE OF CHARGE.  Please be aware that you do not have to pay any money or provide any favours to get assistance from UNHCR or our partners.

Our position is clear and has been reiterated on several occasions by our High Commissioner:

• Sexual misconduct is unjustifiable and must be eradicated from UNHCR operations.
• Sexual exploitation and abuse affect people UNHCR serves.
• Sexual exploitation is defined as an actual or attempted abuse of someone’s position of vulnerability (such as a person depending on you for survival, food rations, school books, transport or other services), differential power or trust, to obtain sexual favors, including but not only, by offering money or other social, economic or political advantages. It includes trafficking and prostitution.
• Sexual abuse means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force, or under unequal or coercive conditions. It includes sexual slavery, pornography, child abuse and sexual assault.

If you are aware of, or have concerns or suspicions about a possible case of sexual exploitation and abuse by a UNHCR, UN or NGO staff member, please report this directly to the Inspector General’s Office (IGO) at UNHCR Headquarters:

• By confidential email: [email protected]
• By using the 💻online complaint form
• By post: Rue de Montbrillant 94, 1201 Genève, Switzerland

For more information, you can visit UNHCR – Reporting sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA).

It is essential for you to provide truthful and complete information to UNHCR. Please include the below information to the best of your abilities:

• What alleged wrongdoing are you reporting? Describe what happened, including as many details as possible that you know.
• Who committed the alleged wrongdoing? Do you know if anyone else was involved? Provide full names, titles and organization, if possible.
• When and where did the incident(s) happen? Indicate date(s) and time(s), if available.
• How did the individual commit the alleged wrongdoing?
• Why do you believe the activity was improper?

Please indicate if you have any supporting evidence to corroborate your allegation, that you could share.