UN high commissioner for refugees faces sexual harrassment charges

Independent:

One of the United Nations' most senior officials is likely to face fresh pressure to resign over allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation after The Independent obtained a confidential internal report into the claims.

Ruud Lubbers, the UN's high commissioner for refugees, was found guilty of misconduct involving sexual harassment by an official investigation carried out by the UN's watchdog, it can be revealed. The secret document has never before been released.

Kofi Annan, the UN secretary general, took internal and external legal advice after studying the 15-page report on the allegations, before deciding he was unable to take action against Mr Lubbers. Instead, he issued him with a strong warning about his conduct.

As high commissioner, Mr Lubbers, 65, formerly the longest serving Dutch prime minister, is responsible for marshalling the aid effort for the world's 17 million refugees. The investigation ­ carried out by the UN's office for internal oversight services (OIOS) ­ began after a complaint of sexual harassment by a female employee at the refugee agency. She alleged Mr Lubbers placed his hands on her waist, pulled her back towards him and pressed his groin into her at the end of a meeting with male colleagues in Geneva on 18 December 2003.

Looks like Kofi gave him a "bad chit" for his files. Makes you wonder what it would take to get fired by the UN.

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