Battle Rages Over WIPO DG As Staff Dissents, Africa Cries Racism
Published on 17 October 2007 @ 11:37 am
Intellectual Property Watch
By William New
Hundreds of employees at the World Intellectual Property Organization, a prominent United Nations agency, have signed a petition calling on WIPO Director General Kamil Idris to put the organisation’s interests before his own in addressing allegations that he misrepresented his age on official documents and possibly engaged in other untoward activities. Idris is under pressure to step down by countries that see him as having lost the ability to lead the organisation.
Meanwhile, the African Group of nations at WIPO raised the stakes in the debate with a press communiqué calling the attempt mainly by developed countries to get Idris to resign a racist and xenophobic attack.
| WIPO Staff Appeal on Idris (in French and English) available to IPW subscribers.
African Group Communiqué on Idris available to IPW subscribers. Not a subscriber? Please click here. |
An acrid debate has been playing out on the front-page Intellectual Property Watch comment section, www.ip-watch.org, over the past two weeks. Many comments have focused on a series of letters published in the Inside Views section, including an open letter calling on Idris to resign from a diverse group of WIPO employees calling itself “Cincinnatus.” [This refers to a Roman farmer who was chosen as dictator from humble circumstances and within weeks led the Roman army to victory before returning to the field, according to sources.]
A number of comments support Idris but there are a variety of others as well. Nigerian patent agent Edwin Nnametu said “the recent spotlight on WIPO which has put her on the lower rung of the scale” and called for restraint. Philip Gough (pseudonym) wrote, “The question is not any more about Kamil Idris’ future but about the future of the organisation,” and raised questions about the possible hiring of family members of ambassadors or other officials who have then been supportive to Idris, a common allegation. The WIPO staff list, recently obtained by Intellectual Property Watch, shows that there may be some truth to this. Another commenter criticised the press release from the September-October General Assemblies, which ended inconclusively for apparently the first time in WIPO history. The release was not issued until five days after the event, and made no mention of the issue that dominated the entire meeting: the effort to investigate and remove Idris and his team.
Several comments were so caustic they were not published on the IP-Watch website. One commenter recounted specific questions that are, according to sources, persistently raised in the WIPO corridors about the nature of the director general’s connection to his special adviser Khamis Suedi who quietly stepped down in 2005 while under investigation by the Swiss authorities for possible links to the UN oil-for-food scandal, whether a security guard was suddenly given an unusually high promotion while he was suing WIPO, whether a WIPO staffperson oversaw Idris’ personal swimming pool construction during work hours, and whether some money is missing from WIPO. None of these persistent questions has been proven despite some investigation and WIPO has criticised those who perpetuate them. Another set of comments alleged criminality, which has not been found.
Rising Tide of Dissatisfaction
More than 230 employees (of various contract types) in the past week signed an appeal stating: “Considering the unrelenting controversy surrounding your stewardship of the organisation, the loss of trust among a broad segment of the member states in your leadership of the organisation as displayed at this year’s Assemblies, the damage which the above causes to the future well-being of the organisation, we call upon you not to place your own personal interests above those of the organisation and its staff.”
An accompanying note to the appeal explained that employees were offered the opportunity to sign the appeal without the involvement of the WIPO Staff Association and within three days more than 230 had signed. The list of signers was not circulated but was verified by a Geneva notary who has possession of the original signature pages. These pages may be viewed only by the director general, president of the staff association, ombudsman, internal auditor and legal counsel, all of whom, plus some others, have received the note.
Efforts continue to get more signatures without disruption to the work of the secretariat, the note said, and the Staff Association is asked to help ensure this, as is the administration. “The administration is kindly requested not to interfere with the right of the organisation’s employees to express their views in a dignified and respectful manner,” it said.
An independent report by consulting firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers issued in June found a prevailing attitude among WIPO employees is a “lack of pride” in the organisation and an acceptance of needed change to the organisational culture (IPW, WIPO, 10 July 2007). According to that report, which found management problems, there were approximately 1,600 full-time and short-term employees at WIPO in 2006.
Africa Takes a Stand
Idris originally came from Sudan. The African Group communiqué said it “condemns in the strongest terms possible the dimension the campaign of calumny and intimidation against the Director-General of WIPO, Dr. Kamil Idris, has now taken.” The group added its call “for an immediate and unconditional end to this insidious campaign against the Director-General and his region of origin.”
The communiqué, dated 11 October and reportedly circulated to member governments and bearing no signature, referenced a cartoon it said had been circulated in Geneva that depicts Idris in a racist way. According to the communiqué, the cartoon showed Idris against a background of a Swiss flag as a black sheep being kicked out of a group of white sheep. This is a reflection of the highly charged political poster used by the far-right Swiss People’s Party of Christoph Blocher, the Swiss justice minister, who campaigns on an anti-immigration platform. Blocher’s poster has contributed to uncommon riots and other violence in the lead-up to the 21 October general election in the country.
“The ultimate message of this cartoon which should be condemned and repudiated by all, as it was with the afore-mentioned campaign poster, is that there can be security in WIPO and Switzerland only when black people are kicked out, since the white sheep kicking Dr. Idris out bears the WIPO logo,” the communiqué said.
Idris, who has been DG since 1998, has been mentioned for several years in connection with financial and personnel management problems at WIPO, which ran a deficit three years ago despite being among the top-earning UN institutions in a boom time for intellectual property rights. But no wrongdoing on his part or any of his top advisers has ever been proven, a point his defenders emphasise.
But one issue that seems to have stuck with member states and the public is a confidential 2006 internal auditor’s report that WIPO has sought to suppress. That report, which WIPO demanded be removed from the Intellectual Property Watch website earlier this year, details a systematic effort by Idris to misstate his birth date since it was first entered incorrectly as 1945 instead of 1954 before his hiring at WIPO in the early 1980s. The incorrectly recorded birth date put Idris at the same age as two more senior competitors for the position that he subsequently obtained. Idris moved to fix the age in 2006, and his office downplayed it as the correction of a technical error.
The African Group defended Idris’ record at WIPO, stating it “wishes it to be noted that WIPO is not only the most audited and supervised organisation in the UN system, but also one of the most successful. It is the only organisation that enjoys surplus in its financial and budgetary management, and registers substantial income annually.” In the 2006-2007 biennium, WIPO’s surplus ran into the tens of millions of Swiss francs despite spending over its budget.
The African statement also suggests that the majority of WIPO member states supported Idris at the recent WIPO General Assemblies that collapsed when developed countries held up agreement over the Idris matter. But during the assembly, several participants said many member states who did not outright call for his resignation indicated support for a fair process, but did not take a position on the Idris allegations.
The African statement also said Idris oversaw WIPO’s growth from a legal and technical body to a “globally development-oriented structure.” But during the negotiation for a WIPO Development Agenda since 2004, officials repeatedly said the WIPO secretariat was unsupportive to the effort. In fact, Idris and his cabinet were frequently criticised as being too far under the influence of the developed countries, which by virtue of owning most of the world’s intellectual property rights pay most of WIPO’s budget.
Many developing country officials have questioned why the United States, Switzerland and other developed countries now are pushing so hard on the Idris’ removal. The sceptics question whether it is related to this year’s adoption of a Development Agenda, the failure to move harmonisation of national patent regimes (a developed country private-sector favourite), or the desire to restore a developed country official at the top of the organisation.
US and other developed country officials repeatedly deny all of these suggestions, and insist it is because they were concerned that he may have been involved in wrongdoing and now feel he has lost the ability to govern the organisation.
Perhaps the reader comments on Intellectual Property Watch capture the spirit within the organisation best. As one commenter put it:
“A great number of WIPO colleagues express today the wish that their organisation would become again as it was before: A place of creativity, enthusiasm for the work, respect and honesty. A new chapter has now to begin, for the benefit of our professional partners, the satisfaction of our member states, the serenity of our host-country, and above all, for the wellbeing and the security of each and every co-worker. A strong decision is requested now. It is not necessary to make a single person endorse all the mistakes made during the past ten years. There has also been a great deal of positive action. Our organisation has grown, and not only in numbers. The staff of this organisation asks that it may be fully entrusted again, expressed by the director general himself.”
William New may be reached at wnew@ip-watch.ch.
Categories: English, United Nations, WIPO
17 October 2007 at 9:59 pm
I do not share the very aggressive approach used by certain delegations during the discussion of the infamous agenda item 12, which none of the WIPO program managers has dared to explain in the recent briefing sessions to the staff. I also disagree with the way in which the Idris age affair has been handled from the very beginning by the JIU, certain member states from the North, and why not say it, from the South. But the worst has finally arrived. Now we are hearing all sorts of accusations about racism and xenophobia. This is the logical sequel after the regrettable outcome of the WIPO assemblies and the subsequent circulation of a racist poster in WIPO premises. But let us not fool ourselves. It will be another attempt at diverting attention from the main issue at the root of the current institutional crisis: the violation of WIPO staff rules and regulations by its Director General. Allegations of racism and xenophobia cannot be used to justify evident wrongdoing. I guess Paul Wolfowitz could have claimed that he was being the victim of anti-Semitism when he came under attack at the World Bank. Mr. Idris has admitted to having misrepresented his age for 24 years when he decided to change his birth date in 2006. Mr. Idris was first elected Director General in 1997. If he was actually born in 1954 as he now claims, then Mr. Idris assumed this high post at the age of 43, thus making him one of the youngest Director Generals of any UN agency in history. But the member states, some of which are now staunchly backing Mr. Idris, believed then that they had elected a 52 year old man to that position since he was supposedly born in 1945. It thus follows that Mr. Idris deceived the WIPO staff and the member states that elected him. It is difficult to work in a place in which the staff rules and regulations are violated precisely by the very same person who is called upon to enforce them. The North should be ashamed for having been so reckless in presenting the Idris age case. But the South should feel embarrassed for defending someone who has deceived them and openly violated staff rules and regulations. Sooner or later truth will prevail. Due process, whether it takes 2 months or two years, will not exonerate Mr. Idris. And both the member states from the North and the South alike will have a lot of apologizing to do to themselves and to all those who, like me and many other employees, still believe that WIPO can make a difference for the North and the South.
Vox Populis
18 October 2007 at 12:03 am
In a storm any port
The contemptible smear campaign that is the subject of the statement purportedly by the African Group must be condemned. At least, its scope appears to be limited. The offending cartoon seems to have circulated within WIPO only. Most staff members only learned of its existence through an e-mail message the WIPO administration sent. No one knows how it reached the African Group.
The existence of a smear campaign, even of limited scope is deplorable, and should not be seized upon by anyone to fan the flames of racism. To make hay from this inexcusable incident, to use it to mobilize support for the embattled Director General is indecent. Everyone remotely interested in WIPO is aware of the evidence suggesting the Director General fiddled with his birth date. Pretending there is no such evidence or that it can not be considered for formalistic reasons has the effect of lending credence to these charges. As long as they are not answered, a cloud of suspicion will continue to surround Idris. Indeed, it continues to grow as a result of Idris’ own effort to disparage his accusers. The so-called Brief Note he issued in the lead up to the Assemblies has refreshed everyone’s recollection of the other misdeeds he was allegedly involved in in recent years.
By taking cover behind legalistic arguments, rather than answering the charges against him, and by orchestrating a campaign to disparage his accusers Idris has ended up forfeiting the level of support he used to enjoy, particularly but not only among the members of Group B. Without this he can not effectively govern the organization. This is the situation he must address. No one thinks that at this stage he can turn the situation around and regain the support and confidence of the member states whose support he lost as a result of his stonewalling. Those who are charging these same member states with racism are not doing Idris’ cause any favour. Surely, they do not wish to suggest that because of his race he should not be held to account.
In this stormy sea, the charge of racism will provide no shelter. Innocent or guilty, the only way out is for Idris to leave the organization. His friends would render him a better service, if they helped him see this. No one is served by encouraging him to battle on.
18 October 2007 at 12:24 pm
We stand here in the presence of a serious dilemma.
To the one end, the need to see past wrong doing to be redeemed, in order to start working on neat premises, for the future. But, some entities (Member states or/and individuals) may attempt to use this critical situation for more political (hidden) purposes. Let’s not be naïve about this.
On the other end, we clearly see an attempt to hide away the past (in a childish attitude of wishing that all this wrong doing would never have happened), using arguments such as racism or personal aggression against the individual Kamil Idris. Let’s not walk on that path, either.
Wipo Staff, notwithstanding all this agitation around the latest General Assemblies are ready and willing to work in a renewed spirit.
Knowing too well (from the inside) in how far senior management has misused the Organization’s resources during all these years, many staff have indeed lost faith in their senior supervisors.
Confidence must now be regained fast, and our professional environment cleansed.
This is our main concern. Our staff needs a strong, honest and respectful management for the future. Wipo needs to be headed by people who proudly stand up for their ideas, but also who have the courage to openly admit flaws, when appropriate.
Is our staff really undeserving of such straightforwardness?
Wipo staff now demands that it be addressed, bravely, openly and frankly, by its Director General, so that the few left open questions may find a true and appropriate answer.
Without such a prompt and courageous move, uncertainty will remain even more present, leading to manifold disproportionate and emotional reactions, themselves conducting to severe losses for the credibility of this Organization, for the staff and for our external partners.
18 October 2007 at 5:44 pm
Irrespective of the strengths or weaknesses of the various allegations made against you, Director General, the central question at this stage is whether your continued stay at the helm of WIPO serves the best interests of the Organization.
Although they might not say so openly, even your most fervent supporters know that, since this year’s Assemblies, this is no longer the case. This is not a North/South issue, this is an issue that concerns all equally.
In light thereof, Director General, spare yourself the unseemly spectacle of hanging on in desperation to your position, but opt with courage and dignity for the only remaining honorable solution.
Daedalus
18 October 2007 at 6:19 pm
It is clear that the presumed racial insult is another Idriss ploy to divert attention and to drag the Adrican Group in the mud with him. He was never known to be particularly proud to be an Adrican or for that matter a sudanese. Member states will know better than to be fooled by this
23 October 2007 at 10:40 am
Voici le mail que l’ensemble du personnel a reçu ce matin, rédigé par le beau-frère de Monsieur Kamil Idris. Nous sommes nombreux estimer qu il s’agit de propagande pure et simple
Security: Proprietary
To my colleagues in WIPO
I was so pleased to participate in a meeting with the Director General on Monday, October 22, 2007, in which he gave full explanation to the staff clarifying what is going on in the Organization these days. Furthermore, he gave us a static report, which will be at our disposal soon, and that report shows how the Director General devoted most of his time, and energy to promote the well being of both the Organization, and the staff members.
The secretariat of the Organization, presented also a full detailed report for the last ten years to the General Assembly held last September, indicated what was realized by the Organization during that decade. That success of that period will remain in the memory of many Nations and States for along period to come.
In addition, Staff members should be proud of all that success in addition to the raising of awareness of Intellectual Property Rights worldwide including Europe, the origin of those rights.
I would like to bring to the knowledge of our colleagues that the Director General has set up in his homeland (the Sudan), an specialized court of intellectual property, funded by the government of Sudan, not by WIPO, in order to protect the rights of inventors and creators and producers, from the Western Countries first, and other countries as well. It is the first court of its kind in Africa and the Middle East.
As much as I am pleased during that meeting in which the Director-General, brought to our attention and to those who ignore the fact that he is accountable only to the Member States, and to the Coordination Committee, but not to all or part the employees of the organization. Hoping that his message will be received and digested, especially to those who signed the petition hosted by the Staff Council.
On the other hand, I am sad, because neither our colleagues, nor our Staff Council, went out in favor of the Director General when they saw his image posted on the corridors of the Organization, representing him as (mouton noir).
To my surprise, they were silent.
I have nothing to add, but I would like to remind my colleagues and the Staff Council that the Director-General belong to a nation and a people who is ready to scarify every thing on this earth in order to keep its integrity, dignity, values, honor, and believes.
With my best regards and respect to all of you.
Ali Yassin
23 October 2007 at 4:17 pm
Deux poids et deux mesures
A propos du message ci-dessus, le Directeur du Personnel et le Conseiller Juridique ont sanctionné un message du Conseil du Personnel au sujet de sa pétition sans pour autant mentionner l’envoie de messages de soutiens. (Voir le courrier ci-après adressé tout le personnel.) Apparemment, l’envoie d’un message obséquieux par le beau-frère de Kamil Idris est autorisé.
Juan Antonio Toledo Barraza 23.10.2007 11:58 >>>
Dear Colleagues,
Referring to the message of October 22, 2007, of the Staff Council
regarding a petition, the subject of the petition falls within the
mandate of the Member States and the Director General himself.
As a consequence, staff members are invited to continue to focus on
their work, bearing in mind the general rules of conduct expected of
international civil servants.
(the French version will follow)
Juan Antonio Toledo
Director
Human Resources Management Department
Edward Kwakwa
Legal Counsel
23 October 2007 at 6:02 pm
Mr. Yassin
What is the difference between nation and People?The DG has not lived by the values you mention. He is instead sacrificing the interest of the organization and the dignity of his nation for his own narrow self interests. All the above does not address the issues at stake. No one is chaalenging the achievements. The question at stake is one of wrong doing. The above defence and advise is counterproductive and will not help the DG. He should listen to more helpful advice.
25 October 2007 at 10:43 am
Chers collègues,
J’ai assisté la réunion de 16h30 du 23 octobre et, en réponse votre demande de contribution, je vous fais parvenir les refléxions qui suivent.
Pour commencer, comme vous, je ne peux que déplorer que les délégués du personnel n’aient pas été invités participer chacune de ces réunions. Les délégués sont les représentants élus du personnel, et la décision du DG de ne pas inviter le conseil du personnel, outre un flagrant déni de démocratie, me semble participer d’une stratégie de division du personnel. La décision d’organiser plusieurs réunions au lieu d’une ou deux grandes réunions, de considérer le personnel comme un saucisson que l’on découperait en rondelles relève aussi de cette stratégie
Par ailleurs, le message du directeur des ressources humaines concernant la pétition hebergée par l’association du personnel participe toujours de la même stratégie, allant jusqu’ dénuer la pétition de tout fondement dans la mesure où son sujet tomberait sous la coupe du mandat des Etats membres et du DG alors que, loin d’avoir la prétention de vouloir se substituer aux instances qui gouvernent l’organisation, il me semble que les signataires de la pétition ont simplement voulu faire part de leur préoccupation au sujet de la crise institutionnelle qui frappe actuellement notre organisation. Il s’agit de défendre notre liberté d’expression, pas d’usurper un pouvoir que le personnel n’a jamais eu.
En ce qui concerne la réunion proprement dite, le DG s’est longuement étendu sur son bilan passé, globalement positif et guère criticable en termes de conditions de travail pour le personnel, mais s’est très peu attardé sur la crise actuelle et est resté plutôt évasif sur les moyens mettre en oeuvre pour en sortir, en dehors d’un appel au personnel rester apolitique et vivre et travailler en “harmonie”.
Pour le reste, il s’est longuement étendu sur la déplorable affaire de de l’affiche dite des “moutons noirs”, sans faire aucune mention de la pétition actuellement hébergée par l’association du personnel, au point qu’un incident raciste isolé a fini par occulter une petition signée par des centaines de membres du personnel de toutes races et nationalités.
Quelques questions intéressantes lui ont été posées, notamment au sujet du mail personnel de soutien au DG que l’un de nos collègues (Ali Yassin, pour le nommer) a envoyé l’ensemble de l’organisation en utilisant l’adresse wipo.mail. Le chef des ressources humaines a répondu que le cas allait être examiné et que des sanctions appropriées seraient prises. Chose surprenante, le DG ne semblait pas être au courant de l’affaire alors que, selon la rumeur, Monsieur Yassin ferait partie de la famille du DG.
La réunion s’est conclue sur l’intervention d’un collègue (que j’aurai la décence de ne pas nommer) qui s’est plaint d’avoir subi des pressions pour signer la petition susmentionnée. J’ignore comment les choses se sont déroulées dans l’équipe de ce collègue, mais dans mon équipe, de nombreux collègues ont signé la pétition, quelques-uns ont refusé de la signer, mais signataires et non-signataires continuent co-exister et travailler ensemble sans que cela pose de problèmes, que ce soit au niveau du travail ou des rapports entre personnes, dans l’harmonie chère au DG. En dehors de l’intervention de ce collègue, je n’ai pas entendu parler de cas où des personnes auraient subi des pressions pour signer la pétition. Bien au contraire, j’ai plutôt entendu des rumeurs faisant état de pressions pour ne pas signer la pétition.
En conclusion, j’ai eu l’impression que toute critique ou dissension était de fait mise dans le même panier que l’incident raciste mentionné plus haut, ce qui ne peut qu’avoir des conséquences extrêmement négatives sur l’ambiance au sein de l’organisation. Par conséquent, il faut inviter un maximum de collègues signer la pétition (pour ceux qui ne l’auraient pas déj fait) et apporter leur soutien au Conseil du personnel évincé de la série de réunions organisée par l’administration.
L’administration marquera peut-être des points court terme en muselant notre liberté d’expression, mais long terme, elle ne parviendra jamais brider notre liberté de penser.
25 October 2007 at 11:51 am
Quelques notes concernant prises lors des réunions d’information qui ont été organisées les 22 et 23 octobre 2007, par le Directeur général de l’Ompi.
Quelques constats :
L’information transmise au personnel est restée focalisée sur les seuls points positifs, et les acquis des dix dernières années, ce qui n’est-en soi- pas un problème, cependant, les points litigieux n’ont pas du tout été abordés.
Certaines statistiques sont présentées de manière “partielle” et “partiale” :
S’il est vrai que la grande majorité des employés de l’organisation est d’origine européenne, française ou suisse, elle l’est avant tout dans les plus bas échelons (G staff & temporaires), et c’est normal étant donné que notre organisation se trouve être implantée à Genève. Si la même comparaison devait être faite pour les niveaux plus élevés (P5 et plus), les proportions se trouveraient inversées.
Quelques rappels :
La bi polarisation au sein de l’organisation n’est pas l’œuvre, ni du personnel, ni du Conseil du personnel… mais avait été initiée dès le débat qui a surgi autour du fameux point 12 (pour lequel avait été faite la demande qu’elle fasse partie intégrante) de l’agenda des Assemblées des Etats membres 2007. C’est le refus de traiter ce point (par les représentants des pays en voie de développement) qui est à l’origine de cette scission.
L’utilisation (malheureuse et regrettable) de cette affiche de l’UDC est restée -somme toute- très localisée (bâtiment OMM / Ompi) et n’a pas été “circulée, placardée et distribuée” dans le public, comme il avait été mentionné et répété diversement.
Trop d’accent a été mis sur le thème du racisme, de la xénophobie et sur cette affiche du “mouton noir”, détournant ainsi l’attention afin que les points les plus importants, tels que les conséquences de tous ces écarts par rapport au respect du Règlement du Personnel, ne soient plus évoqués.
Comment peut-on vouloir faire respecter les règles en vigueur, si l’on ne les respecte pas, soi-même ?
Un point est resté sans réponse :
Que se passerait-il si le grave différend qui oppose les groupes d’Etats Membres (suite à l’Assemblée Générale), n’est pas résolu ?
En fait, quel est le risque encouru par notre Organisation, et surtout, par son personnel, dans le cas où les requêtes formulées par le pays-hôte et par les représentants des pays développés, ne seraient pas entièrement satisfaites ?
Un regret :
L’initiative de la pétition a été vivement critiquée et présentée comme étant une tentative pour diviser le personnel, qui devrait normalement rester “neutre, apolitique et silencieux”.
Depuis ce jour, il semble même que la récolte de signatures pour cette pétition soit interdite par le Département des Ressources humaines de l’OMPI, ce qui est contraire aux droits les plus élémentaires de chacun pour pouvoir s’exprimer. Nous ne vivons pas en dictature, dans les Organisations Internationales, ce serait un comble !
Conclusions :
Je pense que plus que jamais, que le Conseil du personnel doit être encouragé et renforcé dans son effort pour défendre notre environnement professionnel.
Même si nous travaillons au sein d’une Organisation affiliée aux Nations-Unies, le personnel ne doit pas se laisser prendre en otage par une administration, qui cherche de résoudre les problèmes personnels de quelques hauts-fonctionnaires.
Je reste persuadé cependant que de focaliser toute notre attention sur la personne même du Directeur général, est une erreur. Il s’agit bel et bien d’un groupe de personnes, dont il a su s’entourer (membres de famille, conseillers et cabinet), et qui nuisent continuellement à la bonne santé de notre Organisation.
Appel à l’aide :
Nous souhaitons vivement que les représentants des Etats membres, et en particulier le Représentant de la Suisse, notre pays-hôte, puissent accélérer les démarches nécessaires pour faire cesser le plus rapidement possible l’inacceptable emprise qu’a ce petit groupe de personnes, sur l’ensemble du personnel de l’Organisation. Cet appel est d’autant plus pressant, que l’Administration de l’Ompi commence à provoquer une ambiance de peur et d’insécurité au sein de son petit personnel, au moyen de menaces, de mises en demeure.
25 October 2007 at 3:42 pm
To my surprise I discovered in your Website that I am a relative of the DG Dr. Kamil Idris, people are just looking for what pleased and assure them not for the reality.
The email is my own initiative.
If I have a blood relation with the DG Kamil Idirs, it should definitely go back to Adam and Eve.
25 October 2007 at 5:12 pm
selon la rumeur, Monsieur Yassin ferait partie de la famille du DG.
Dear browsers look carefully and highlight the word: (rumeur, rumeur, rumeur).
I have no comments dear colleagues or colleague.
Many thanks for bringing your facts from (rumeur)
26 October 2007 at 9:54 am
Mr Yassin´s first defence (comment 6) is very revealing. No one has said he is a blood relative, but rather a brother-in-law?
26 October 2007 at 4:37 pm
it is niether nor do you understand please?
3 November 2007 at 11:00 am
Je souhaite attirer l’attention des lecteurs sur les différentes pressions exercées actuellement par l’administration de l’OMPI, voire par certains responsablles de secteurs de cette organisation.
Le personnel de l’OMPI travaille actuellement dans un climat de peur et de crainte.
L’administration a clairement fait savoir que la pétition n’était pas du ressort du personnel et que les membres de l’organisation devaient se concentrer sur leur travail.
Du reste, la version française de ce message n a toujours pas été communiquée au personnel.
Certains responsables demandent leurs employés de rester apolitiques en leur disant que ce débat les dépasse….il est vrai que nous n’avons probablement pas la maturité nécessaire pour nous exprimer ni meme pour avoir d opinion personnelle.
D’autres membres ont recu des courriers de
l administration leur signifiant qu ils avaient enfreint les normes de conduite relatives aux droits des fonctionnaires internationaux. Je suggère l’administration de lire le paragraphe 19 de ces mêmes normes.
Les membres du personnel de l’OMPI ne veulent en aucun cas faire de politique, ils souhaitent travailler dans des conditions de respect, sans intimidation et sans pression de la part de l administration.
La pétition est un moyen d’expression de cette liberté et il est absolument contraire aux valeurs démocratiques de décourager les gens de la signer.
18 November 2007 at 3:15 pm
The following is an email I received among many, but the [author] of this one asked me to share it with your browser,
With my best regards
Dear Ali,
I would like to share with you our gladness for the bright way of handling the issue of the newspaper. In fact – yesterday- all the newspapers wrote wonderful things on Dr. Idris, especially ((Alsoudani)) newspaper, I am sure that you were following them.
In the internet, there are nothing really say or to comment on, totally nothing, its only showing the anger and rude of some unrespectable people (within and outside WIPO), from the ambitious, strong will, and from the professional way of handling all cases of Dr. Idris. Beside the fact that he is Sudanese. Personally I do so much like the way that Dr. Idris is acting against this entire ridiculous attack and cheap campaign against him.
Let me ask those dear Ali, that,
1- where were WIPO before Dr. Idris raised the awareness about its existence, especially in the developing countries?
2- where were WIPO before the Dr. Idris intelligent technique of increasing efficiency and effectiveness of its work?
3- Where were WIPO – that small, neglected and ignored organization, before Dr. Idris created its image?
4- Where were WIPO before the implementation of his plan and wish (which came in his first letter of acceptance of the first election as WIPO DG on 1997)- in finding the WIPO World Wide Academy, and explain to the world the noble and professional aim of that academy?
5- Where were WIPO before Dr. Idris contacts the best universities ever to develop – in cooperation – the degree of Master in Intellectual property, and the general studies in the major of IP?
6- Where were WIPO before Dr. Idris profoundly increase its image and position, through his smart connections with the world leaders and explaining that
7- The goals of WIPO is not only to register the new innovations but to give the sense of creating new life, through IP system, and to improve theirs countries economy?
8- Where were WIPO before Kamil been its DG, and shown the world that Change is life and push to let all of them is well prepared for the change?
Eventually Yes, we all believe in Dr. Idris, that young man who throw himself long time ago in life jungle with its different land, and opened his mind widely in a brave, determination and strong principals, aiming and hoping to be a senior professional person.
Kamil Eltayeb Idris is the kind of people who can draw strategically the aims and goals, and then finds the most possible ways in reaching that goals and hopes, and in a very smart, honorable and polite ways all along the road. He is the person who pays every time gratitude to GOD in Joy and happiness, as well paying dedication to life for being as it is.
Dear Ali,
Five years before, I established my meditation lessons through an Indian author and meditation Activists named (OSHO), In all lessons I took through the internet and in all the books I read to him, I saw the way that Kamil moved through and up in his career & life, some many years ago (as the stories of my grandmother tell us how much he was patience, tolerance and willing to accomplish since he was young). Surely since he decided to complete studying in two different universities in Sudan on the same time. I would like to say that all these spiritual lessons that I learned in the last five years through (OSHO), It would very much be founded in Kamil personality and since he was young, his courage, his innovations, his self confusion to himself on any shortage and the way to increase his knowledge, his enthusiasm and ambitious, his self commitment for continues learning and to build
The wealthiest skills and competencies, and his eagerness & determination to build a better future.
Yes… we believe on Dr. Kamil Idris, and will continue learning from him, despite of anything might come up to critics him, despite of any ugly opinion appear from cheap and frustrated people.
Yes, we believe on Dr. Kamil Eltayeb Idris without anything to obtain or to get in return. We believe on him because he deserves everything good, as well because we are all loyal and honorable big family and we know each other’s values.
Kindly forward this message to Dr. Idris and to WIPO
We wish all of you – all the best – and to continue showing the world you’re special determination and loyalty to a man that his country is proud of him.
Best regards,
A relative from Sudan