On October 13, 2011, Teodoro Nguema Obiang, the son of the President of Equatorial Guinea, was appointed to serve as Equatorial Guinea’s Deputy Permanent Delegate to UNESCO.

The same Mr. Obiang, also known as Teodorin, is currently under investigation in the "biens mal acquis" case, a judicial inquiry into alleged corruption and money laundering in France by several African ruling families.

He was appointed to the position at UNESCO just two weeks after police seized some 15 luxury cars he owned in connection with the investigation. His appointment may confer diplomatic immunity and impede the progress of the investigation. This raises serious questions about the government of Equatorial Guinea’s motives for nominating him.

This small West-Central African petro-state has the highest per capita income in Africa, comparable to that of Spain, yet the majority of the population has no access to drinking water or electricity, let alone education and health care. Meanwhile, the ruling class, especially Teodorin, lead lives of outrageous luxury.

It is unacceptable that an international organization like UNESCO should be exploited to obstruct justice. The French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs has the power to oppose Teodorin Nguema Obiang’s appointment.

Help allow judges to continue their investigation into the ill-gotten gains of Teodorín without obstacles: sign the petition!