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UNAIDS deputy chief to step down over unsubstantiated allegations

UNAIDS deputy chief to step down over unsubstantiated allegations

Luiz

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UNAIDS spokesman called it unreasonable to link Loures' resignation to sexual harassment allegations

Deputy head of the United Nation's agency for HIV/AIDS, Luiz Loures, is to step down soon without seeking to renew his position.

UNAIDS spokesman Mahesh Mahalingam called it unreasonable to link Loures' resignation to sexual harassment allegations that were found to be unsubstantiated.

"The independent investigation done by the WHO’s (World Health Organization`s) internal oversight services division clearly found that the case was unsubstantiated and recommended the case to be closed," he said.

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Loures will leave behind a career spanning nearly four decades, including 22 years at UNAIDS; "he clearly feels that it is time for him to move on," Mahalingam noted.

Meanwhile, The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund's (UNICEF) deputy director Justin Forsyth stepped down yesterday.

Forsyth's resignation came in the wake of looming concerns over his "inappropriate" comments and behaviour.

Reportedly, Forsyth was accused of sending inappropriate texts to Save the Children UK's female staff. Allegedly, he also made comments on their appearance while heading the charity in 2011 and 2015.