![UN official faces formal sexual harassment accusations](https://www.jurist.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/jurist-white-text.png)
[JURIST] The UN has formally accused Carina Perelli, head of the UN's Electoral Assistance Division [official website], with harassing her staff. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric did not offer specifics, but it is believed that the accusations stem from a four-month internal investigation initiated after several staff members accused Perelli of fostering an abusive work environment [JURIST report] full of sexual innuendo and intimidation. According to Dujarric, Perelli received notice of the allegations on August 4, and has until Thursday to submit a rebuttal, at which time her "status may be reviewed". As head of the Electoral Assistance Division, Perelli has played key roles in recent elections in Lebanon and Iraq [JURIST reports]. AP has more.