2023-08-21 16:20:06
The Polish group accused Unicef Poland of refusing a donation of 2,200 euros to support child victims of the war in Ukraine, because of the image of the group. What the fund disputes.
Question asked by Paul-Emmanuel C. on August 19
You are asking us about information relayed at the beginning of August by many international media specializing in metal music, including Metal Zone in France, stating that the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) refused a donation by Polish metal band Behemoth aimed at child victims of the war in Ukraine.
This decision would have been made “because of what the group represents”. Formed in 1991, Behemoth is a music group, which claims satanism in its interviews, and which became known for acts of religious provocation. Its leader was notably prosecuted in Poland for tearing up the Bible or for trampling on an image of the Virgin Mary.
At the origin of this information, several publications of the death metal group on social networks. The Behemoth online store has thus claimed in messages that the Polish branch of Unicef would have refused a donation of around 10,000 zlotys (around 2,200 euros) from the sale of stuffed animals. Last May, the group advertised the sale of “satanic teddy bears” on its website, saying the proceeds would be donated to Unicef to support child victims of war in Ukraine.
“Shame on you”
On August 3, Behemoth went public with an email exchange with Unicef Poland. Unicef Poland thanks the group for its interest in participating in the “Company with a heart” program, but indicates: “Unfortunately, we inform you that due to the nature of the messages accompanying the products sold [par Behemoth]we cannot qualify you to participate in this particular program.”
“Shame on you, @Unicef @Unicefpolska. I am speechless. Are you sure you want to help the children? reacted Nergal, the leader of the group, in publications on social networks, revealing his disappointment at this refusal. Finally, the group decided to donate the money raised to the “largest children’s hospital” in Gdansk, the group’s hometown.
“Selected parts of our correspondence”
Behemoth’s accusations have drawn criticism towards Unicef Poland. Who, in response to this controversy, issued a statement on August 4, saying that contrary to what several media wrote, the organization “did not reject the donation of the Behemoth online store”. The spokesman for Unicef Poland, Jan Bratkowski regrets that “that the representative of [la boutique en ligne, ndlr], making the whole matter public on social media, uses selected parts of our correspondence and omits fragments where, at his own request, we have indicated other possibilities / ways to support our organization”. The statement points out that the group could have made a donation outside of the corporate-only partnership and that Unicef “does not prevent anyone – including the Behemoth online store – from donating for our statutory activities or supporting areas specific to our work for children such as education, mental health or preventing the climate crisis”.
According to Unicef Poland, the problem with Behemoth’s request is that it concerned the “Company with a Heart” commercial program, whose partnerships “are guided by clearly defined standards and must avoid any political or ideological reference” . In its regulations, the cited program states that Unicef Poland “reserves the right to refuse participation in the program to companies whose image, products and working methods conflict with the values professed by our organization”. The statement does not specify what specific actions of Behemoth, regularly prosecuted in this country for its anti-Catholic positions, go against the values of Unicef Poland. Contacted by CheckNews, Unicef Poland did not answer us on this point.
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