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Oxfam Haiti scandal: Suspects 'physically threatened' witnesses | Oxfam Haiti scandal: Suspects 'physically threatened' witnesses |
(35 minutes later) | |
Oxfam has revealed that three of the men accused of sexual misconduct in Haiti physically threatened witnesses during a 2011 investigation. | Oxfam has revealed that three of the men accused of sexual misconduct in Haiti physically threatened witnesses during a 2011 investigation. |
The charity has published its internal report on alleged abuse by some of its staff following public pressure. | The charity has published its internal report on alleged abuse by some of its staff following public pressure. |
In the 2011 report, Oxfam said "more needed" to be done to prevent "problem staff" working for other charities. | In the 2011 report, Oxfam said "more needed" to be done to prevent "problem staff" working for other charities. |
Despite the warning, several men linked to the alleged abuse subsequently took up roles at other charities. | Despite the warning, several men linked to the alleged abuse subsequently took up roles at other charities. |
Oxfam - which has almost 10,000 staff working in more than 90 countries - has released a redacted version of the report, saying it wants to be "as transparent as possible" about the decisions it made. | Oxfam - which has almost 10,000 staff working in more than 90 countries - has released a redacted version of the report, saying it wants to be "as transparent as possible" about the decisions it made. |
Parts of the 11-page document are blacked out to hide people's identities, including the names of the three men accused of intimidating witnesses. | Parts of the 11-page document are blacked out to hide people's identities, including the names of the three men accused of intimidating witnesses. |
Oxfam will present the original, unedited report to the government in Haiti on Monday and apologize for "mistakes". | Oxfam will present the original, unedited report to the government in Haiti on Monday and apologize for "mistakes". |
Oxfam has faced increasing international pressure over its handling of an investigation into allegations aid workers in Haiti used prostitutes. | Oxfam has faced increasing international pressure over its handling of an investigation into allegations aid workers in Haiti used prostitutes. |
'Bullying and intimidation' | 'Bullying and intimidation' |
Seven Oxfam employees left the organisation as a result of their behaviour in Haiti in 2011, the report shows. | Seven Oxfam employees left the organisation as a result of their behaviour in Haiti in 2011, the report shows. |
One employee was dismissed and three resigned for using prostitutes on Oxfam premises. The use of underage prostitutes was not ruled out. | One employee was dismissed and three resigned for using prostitutes on Oxfam premises. The use of underage prostitutes was not ruled out. |
Two more were dismissed for bullying and intimidation - one of whom also downloaded pornography - and another man was sacked for failing to protect staff. | Two more were dismissed for bullying and intimidation - one of whom also downloaded pornography - and another man was sacked for failing to protect staff. |
In the report, the charity said director of operations in Haiti, Roland Van Hauwermeiren, "admitted using prostitutes" at his Oxfam residence when questioned by the investigation team. | In the report, the charity said director of operations in Haiti, Roland Van Hauwermeiren, "admitted using prostitutes" at his Oxfam residence when questioned by the investigation team. |
Mr Van Hauwermeiren last week denied paying prostitutes for sex. | Mr Van Hauwermeiren last week denied paying prostitutes for sex. |
He was granted a "phased and dignified exit" and was allowed to resign, the report added, on the provision that he fully co-operated with the rest of the investigation. | He was granted a "phased and dignified exit" and was allowed to resign, the report added, on the provision that he fully co-operated with the rest of the investigation. |
It is not known if he is one of the suspects accused of threatening witnesses. | |
Another section entitled "lessons learned" sets out the need for tighter safeguarding across the industry to stop disgraced aid workers moving to new posts. | Another section entitled "lessons learned" sets out the need for tighter safeguarding across the industry to stop disgraced aid workers moving to new posts. |
It reads: "Need better mechanisms for informing other regions/affiliates/agencies of behavioural issues with staff when they move and to avoid 'recycling' poor performers/problem staff." | It reads: "Need better mechanisms for informing other regions/affiliates/agencies of behavioural issues with staff when they move and to avoid 'recycling' poor performers/problem staff." |
High-profile posts | High-profile posts |
Despite the warning, several of those implicated subsequently worked for other aid organisations, including at Oxfam. | Despite the warning, several of those implicated subsequently worked for other aid organisations, including at Oxfam. |
Mr Van Hauwermeiren ended up taking another high-profile position, as the head of mission for Action Against Hunger in Bangladesh. | Mr Van Hauwermeiren ended up taking another high-profile position, as the head of mission for Action Against Hunger in Bangladesh. |
Action Against Hunger said it had carried out a series of checks on Mr Hauwermeiren but received no information from Oxfam of inappropriate or unethical behaviour. | Action Against Hunger said it had carried out a series of checks on Mr Hauwermeiren but received no information from Oxfam of inappropriate or unethical behaviour. |