United Nations judge Lydia Mugambe has been found guilty of crimes related to human trafficking and forced labor. This was reported by the prestigious British newspaper The Guardian.
50-year-old Mugambe forced a young Ugandan woman to work as a servant in her home, compelling her to care for her children. At that time, she was pursuing a doctorate in law at Oxford University.
Crimes and court ruling
According to the ruling of the Oxford Crown Court, Mugambe was found guilty of the following crimes:
- Engaging another person in forced labor;
- Deceiving someone for the purpose of shelter;
- Intimidating a witness.
Deliberate violation of UK immigration laws
"You completely exploited the victim. You used her legal ignorance for your personal gain," the court documents state.
The court sentenced Mugambe to 6 years and 4 months in prison. Additionally, she was prohibited from having any direct or indirect communication with the victim.
Victim's situation
Prosecutor Caroline Hogg stated that the victimized woman has been granted asylum in the UK. In her testimony in court, she expressed fear of returning to Uganda, feeling endangered, and mentioned that she might never see her mother again.
Activities and investigation at the UN
According to official information, Lydia Mugambe was added to the list of UN judges in May 2023. However, by that time, an investigation against her had already begun.
Interestingly, British police visited her home 3 months prior to this appointment to conduct an inquiry. This suggests that either this situation was not taken into account during the appointment process or that a proper investigation was not conducted.
Judge's human rights achievements were also noted
The judge reading the verdict described the case as "very regrettable" and acknowledged Mugambe's work in defending human rights. Nevertheless, she deemed her actions deserving of severe punishment.
The fact that a person who has promoted law and justice has been found guilty of such serious crimes is causing significant public resonance.
What do you think — does this situation indicate the need to reconsider the personnel selection system in international organizations?
