Syrian Embassy staff complain about Ambassador's abuse of power and sexual harassment

PanARMENIAN.Net - The staff of the Syrian Embassy in Armenia addressed the Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandian to inform him about the inadequate behavior of the Ambassador of Syria in Armenia who took office in August 2008, the Embassy told PanARMENIAN.Net



The letter says,



" Dear Sir,

We, the staff of the Syrian Embassy in Armenia would like to draw your attention to an urgent issue, which has aroused vast grievance among the employees of the Embassy.



When each of us was accepting their job at the Embassy of Syria in Armenia, he or she was happy because they thought that they would have to deal with serious diplomats from whom they could learn a great deal, as well as would be able to meet their financial needs. It was the case until 20 days ago.



Before then the working atmosphere at the embassy was mild and friendly. The employees would work with the diplomats as with friends. None of our rights was ever violated: the employees of the embassy had never seen the Ambassador in underwear, female employees had never received dating proposal from the Ambassador who threatened them to fire immediately if they rejected. Shortly after working for two weeks the new Ambassador dismissed the cook (female) working in his house, as if upon her own resignation note .



The resignation note had not been written by the cook and the reason could not be mentioned naturally. That immoral decision was made knowing that the woman was the only one working in the family. Moreover, just for the sake of diplomatic correctness the author of the decision did not even wish to receive and talk to that woman for the last time who had lost her job by a pen stroke, who was highly virtuous, possessed higher education degree and who fulfilled all her duties. The reason for dismissal was claimed to be the absence of knowledge of Arabic.



Now most of the employees of the Embassy who are citizens of the Republic of Armenia and have high sense of dignity are under the threat of losing their jobs. Those who gave us our jobs at the embassy were also ambassadors, and not knowing Arabic has had no role in losing jobs so far.



We request considering all the information we have provided since it is truthful. We have high hopes that friendly relationships between our countries will never allow that Ambassador Abdul Hammed Sallum change the Embassy staff due to personal needs.



We are confident that the phenomena of sexual harassment, abuse of power, volatilities are considered unlawful, immoral and condemnable in Syria as well and will in no way and NEVER honor that country.



We anticipate your urgent response to this matter and hope the matter will be resolved in reasonable terms with no need to involve the attention of local and foreign mass media.



Sincerely,

Staff of Syrian Embassy in Armenia."