International development committee evidence session on fighting sexual misconduct finds little has changed
Private aid companies and charities will be asked to reappear before MPs, after evidence given on tackling sexual abuse was condemned as “completely unsatisfactory”.
Stephen Twigg, chair of the international development committee (IDC), said he intended to invite representatives of both groups back.
Continue reading...An American woman who established a charity to help vulnerable girls in Liberia has resigned, six months after taking a leave of absence in the wake of allegations that a local staffer raped several girls in the charity’s care.
Related: Liberia launches investigation into alleged rapes at US-backed school
Continue reading...Wildlife trust that funded ‘eco-guards’ at the centre of rights abuse claims comes under scrutiny over failure to alert charities’ watchdog
A British charity set up to fund conservation parks in the Congo basin knew about allegations that tribal people were being abused by park guards but failed to alert the charities’ watchdog, the Guardian can reveal.
Last week, WWF launched an inquiry into claims that it has funded paramilitary guards accused of torturing, sexually assaulting and murdering people in Africa and Asia. In response to the claims, published by BuzzFeed News, the organisation said it has “stringent policies” to ensure the safeguarding of indigenous peoples’ rights and would take “swift action” should the review uncover any breaches.
Continue reading...Claims that the World Wide Fund for Nature is in bed with paramilitaries point to a wider need for root and branch reform
World Wide Fund for Nature, put down your weapons. You are not a mercenary. You are not a government. You are not a terrorist. Your mission: to save the planet. Saving the planet does not happen by shooting people, or even by threatening them.
One might be forgiven for thinking that headlines this week revealing allegations that WWF was in bed with paramilitaries in different parts of the world must have been referring to the erstwhile World Wrestling Federation, not the fluffy panda charity that saves tigers. How could this possibly be?
Continue reading...World Wide Fund for Nature launches inquiry into claims that it works with paramilitaries allegedly involved in serious abuses
One of the world’s largest charities has launched an investigation into claims that it funds, equips and works with paramilitary forces accused of beating, torturing, sexually assaulting and murdering scores of people in national parks across Africa and Asia.
Human rights specialists will lead an independent review of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) conservation charity, following allegations of abuse in six countries, published by BuzzFeed news on Monday.
Continue reading...Independent commission says charity lacked robust safeguarding policies and was inconsistent in dealing with complaints
A damning interim review has highlighted Oxfam’s failure to tackle an environment at the charity that allowed sexual misconduct and bullying to go unchecked.
The report, produced by an independent commission, warned that no uniform system exists for dealing with complaints and said there are “drastic inconsistencies” in the way safeguarding issues are handled across the 90-plus countries in which Oxfam International operates.
Continue reading...Peter Bennett-Jones, who was criticised over tackling of sexual harassment, quits as UN sack aid worker in Uganda
The chairman of Save the Children UK has resigned after complaints by staff that he was not doing enough to address allegations of sexual harassment.
The charity said Peter Bennett-Jones was standing down following objections to remarks he made during recent discussions with staff about the organisation’s future.
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