UN bans staff saying ‘war’ or ‘invasion’, report alleges

‘It’s hard to believe that the UN could essentially impose the same kind of censorship as the Kremlin imposes’

UKRAINE has criticised the UN for allegedly sending an email to its staff banning them from referring to the attack by Russia as a “war” or “invasion” and instead asking them to call it a “conflict” or “military offensive”.

The message sent by the UN communications department also added that staff should not add the Ukrainian flag to personal or official social media accounts or websites in order to avoid “reputational risk”.

The email, first reported by The Irish Times, drew swift condemnation from senior officials in Ukraine.

“It’s hard to believe that the UN could essentially impose the same kind of censorship as the Kremlin imposes inside Russia now by banning the use of words ‘war’ and ‘invasion’ among UN staff,” said Dmytro Kuleba, the country’s foreign minister.

“I urge the UN to swiftly refute such reports if they are false. UN reputation at stake,” he said.

According to the newspaper, the email said: “Some specific examples of language to use/not use at the moment: [Use] ‘conflict’ or ‘military offensive’ and NOT ‘war’ or ‘invasion’ when referring to the situation in Ukraine.

“Do NOT add the Ukrainian flag to personal or official social media accounts or websites.”

Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, is one of many politicians who have put the flag on their social media profile pictures.

“This is an important reminder that we, as international civil servants, have a responsibility to be impartial,” the email read.

“There is a serious possibility of reputational risk that has been flagged by senior officials recently.”

In response, Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesman for the UN secretary-general said: “There was an email that went out to global staff to remind staff that they are international civil servants and uphold the responsibilities that position entails.”

He denied, however, that there were specific instructions “not to use certain words”. He pointed to a social media post by Rosemary Dicarlo, the undersecretary-general, in which she referred to the conflict as a war.