UN releases rules on Oil-for-Food inquiry documents to help States still investigating

To facilitate continuing investigations by Member States into the findings of the Independent Inquiry Committee (IIC) that examined the scandal-ridden Iraq Oil-for-Food Programme, the United Nations today released rules regarding the management, preservation and use of the myriad documents and files produced by the Committee.

The 27 October final report of the Committee, under its former head Paul Volcker, revealed a network of kickbacks and surcharges involving companies registered in a large number of countries and Secretary-General Kofi Annan called on Member States to take action against illegal practices by companies under their jurisdiction.

Also in response to the report, the Secretary-General instituted a number of reforms aimed at promoting greater transparency and accountability across the UN system.