CHEC
COMMONWEALTH HUMAN ECOLOGY COUNCIL
Mr. Mark Thompson
Director General
BBC Television Centre
Wood Lane
Shepherds Bush
W12 7RJ 12 th June 2008
Dear Mr. Thompson,
The Commonwealth Human Ecology Council (CHEC) has seen the rebuttals contained on the Auroville website against charges levelled in the BBC2 Newsnight programme on 21 May 2008 and BBC World on 24 May 2008. These can be seen on www.auroville.org .
CHEC's Executive Committee considered the matter at its meeting on Wednesday 11 June 2008 and fully endorsed the official statement issued by the Working Committee of Auroville, the text of the letter dated 2 June 2008 from Dr. Karan Singh, Chairman of the Auroville Foundation, to yourself, and the letter sent by the Chairman of the Auroville International Advisory Council, Sir Mark Tully, and other co-signatories, to Mr. Peter Barron, Editor of Newsnight.
The CHEC Executive Committee welcomes the steps that are being taken by Auroville to fully investigate these allegations. CHEC recommends that Auroville establish a procedure to ensure transparency and accountability of its dealings with any allegations of impropriety against its residents or guests, including appointment of an independent person or organization of good standing in the area to hear any such allegations and ensure they are dealt with promptly.
CHEC has supported Auroville for over twenty years and will continue to do so, subject to Auroville addressing these recommendations. CHEC was pleased to learn that such processes are already under consideration and would urge that these be set up as soon as possible.
Yours sincerely,
Professor Eleanor Morris Dame Zena Daysh , CNZM
Chairman of the CHEC Executive Committee Executive Vice-Chair &
Founding Member of CHEC
Cc Mr Peter Barron, Editor of Newsnight
Sir Mark Tully, Chairman of Auroville International Advisory Council
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