From the Staff Committee 2015-2016	(202) 370-4645
April 19th, 2016	FYI # 7 /15-16 Original: English/Spanish
Did you know that there are restrictions on certain activities and Public Statements applicable to General Secretariat personnel? As established by the OAS Charter in article 118 y 119, Secretariat personnel shall not seek or receive instructions from any Government or from any authority outside the Organization, and shall refrain from any action that may be incompatible with their position as international civil servants. Moreover, Member States pledge themselves to respect the exclusively international character of the responsibilities of the personnel of the General Secretariat, and not to seek to influence them in the discharge of their duties. In addition, the General Standards to Govern the Operations of the General Secretariat establish in Article 30 that Personnel shall refrain from any action that may be incompatible with their position as staff members of the Organization. In this regard, they may not conduct any activity that the Secretary General considers undesirable from the standpoint of the efficient performance of their duties or the prestige of the Organization. In addition, Staff members shall not act or express themselves publicly in any way that might damage or adversely affect the Member States. The Code of Ethics for the GS/OAS also establishes that “Unless otherwise provided in their job descriptions or contracts, or otherwise authorized by the Secretary General, Staff Members and Other Service Providers must not act or express themselves publicly in any way that would with reasonable certainty adversely affect the OAS, GS/OAS, Member States, or the independence of the OAS.  Public expression would include for example, speaking to media outlets, delivering speeches, taking part in productions, or writing articles, books or on blogs or other internet postings.” Finally, regarding social and political activities, the Code of Ethics states that “Staff Members may exercise their right to contribute to political parties and a particular candidate, vote and join and participate in political parties. Staff Members and Other Service Providers must refrain from any activity that is reasonably certain to compromise the prestige or independence of the OAS or that is detrimental to the independence and impartiality necessary for them to undertake their services with GS/OAS.”