The United Nations has made the controversial decision not to renew the contract of Alice Wairimu Nderitu, the Special Adviser for the Prevention of Genocide, after she refused to label Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide.
According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), this move stems from the UN’s disapproval of Nderitu’s stance, which does not align with their claims about Israel’s conduct during the recent war with Hamas.
Nderitu has always stressed the importance of using the term “genocide” cautiously. In a 2022 paper, she argued that it should be reserved for truly extreme cases like the Holocaust, the Rwandan genocide, and the attacks on Bosnian Muslims—far more significant historical atrocities. In her view, there’s no concrete evidence to suggest Israel’s actions in Gaza meet the necessary criteria for genocide. This position sharply contrasts with a November 2024 UN report that suggested the possibility of genocide in Gaza and labeled Israel’s policies in the West Bank as apartheid.
Political pressures inside the UN seem to have played a role in Nderitu’s dismissal. The WSJ points out that Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, had harshly criticized Israel in 2023, fueling the tensions surrounding Nderitu’s refusal to endorse such claims. While the UN insists that Nderitu’s contract simply expired, the WSJ notes that these contracts are typically renewed, suggesting that her removal was a politically motivated decision, possibly aimed at appeasing Israel’s critics within the UN.
This whole affair raises serious concerns about the UN’s credibility. The Wall Street Journal warns that politicizing the term “genocide” could cheapen its significance, turning it into a tool of propaganda rather than a serious term for real atrocities. By removing Nderitu, critics argue, the UN risks damaging not only her career but also its standing as an impartial organization. It’s still unclear whether Nderitu will remain involved with the UN in any other capacity, but her ouster could be a sign of growing internal divisions within the global body.
