Ruud Lubbers

Rudolphus Franciscus Marie Lubbers or Ruud Lubbers (born May 7, 1939) was the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, from 2001 until February 20, 2005, when he resigned because of continuous press attention about an allegation of sexual harassment. Prior to that, he was prime minister of the Netherlands (1982 – 1994). A political conservative, Lubbers was regarded by many during his time in office as an ideological heir to Margaret Thatcher; one of his campaign slogans was: "meer markt, minder overheid" (more market, less government).

Sexual harassment allegation

In May 2004 the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) has launched an investigation into an allegation by a 51-year-old American female administrator in the human resources department of the refugee organisation, that Lubbers had harassed her sexually while she left a meeting in December 2003. The OIOS expanded the investigation and questioned many UN personnel to determine if there was "a broader context." Lubbers claimed he just made a friendly gesture and that it was a misunderstanding, possibly caused by a colleague who jokingly gave the gesture a sexual connotation. The woman waited more than four months before filing a formal complaint.

Related Topics:
UN Office of Internal Oversight Services - Harassed her sexually

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In May 2004, OIOS reported confidentially to Secretary General Kofi Annan. The report found Lubbers guilty of sexual harassment. http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=1&story_id=17094&name=UN+report+slams+Lubbers+over+sexual+harassment However, on July 15, 2004, Lubbers was declared innocent by Kofi Annan, though Annan was critical about the way Lubbers handled the situation: he wrote a letter asking the woman to withdraw the allegation, and promised that in that case the matter would have no negative consequences for her. Some argue that this could be construed as a threat in the case that she would refuse.

Related Topics:
2004 - Secretary General - Kofi Annan - July 15 - Threat

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John Danforth, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, during review in the General Assembly of the OIOS annual report stating they had substantiated the complainant's claims and the investigation had found Lubbers guilty of misconduct, asked Annan for clarification on declaring Lubbers innocent.

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The woman appealed the Secretary-General's decision, but later withdrew the appeal stating little good could come from 5 to 7 more years of battle in the UN's internal justice system which seriously handicaps unprotected staff who bring irregularities to light.

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In February 2005 the matter resurfaced after The Independent obtained a copy of the OIOS report and based a publication on it. The woman alleged that Lubbers had grabbed her and thrust his groin into her buttocks and held her in that position. Lubbers states that the woman made this up, that it must have just grown in her mind. He claims that he just ushered the woman out of the room with his hand on her back, like he still does with female friends, but he is now more cautious towards other women. Lubbers said the claims were slanderous and he would not step down. But on February 20, he resigned, though maintaining his innocence, and complained in an emotional farewell speech to UNHCR staff that he had been "raped and raped and raped" and that the handling of the case had added insult to his injury.

Related Topics:
The Independent - Grabbed - Slander - February 20

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