Statement by High Commissioner Lubbers

There are media reports today regarding allegations made against High Commissioner Ruud Lubbers. The High Commissioner wishes to make the following statement:

"It has been brought to my attention by Dileep Nair, Under-Secretary-General for Internal Oversight, Office of Internal Oversight Services, that a complaint about sexual harassment has been filed against me by a UNHCR staff member. The complaint refers to a formal meeting in my office on December 18, 2003. The meeting was attended by five other staff members. The complaint was filed on April 27 of this year, more than four months after the alleged harassment. In that meeting of last December 18, there was no improper behaviour on my part."