Editing Ruud Lubbers

{{Short description|Prime Minister of the Netherlands from 1982 to 1994}}
{{redirect|Lubbers|other people with the name|Lubbers (surname)}}
{{distinguish|Rudi Lubbers}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix    = [[Excellency|His Excellency]]
| name                = Ruud Lubbers
| image               = Ruud Lubbers 1986.jpg
| imagesize           = 
| caption             = Lubbers in 1986
| office              = [[Prime Minister of the Netherlands]]
| term_start          = 4 November 1982
| term_end            = 22 August 1994
| monarch             = [[Beatrix of the Netherlands|Beatrix]]
| deputy              = [[Gijs van Aardenne]] {{nowrap|(1982–1986)}}<br />[[Rudolf de Korte]] {{nowrap|(1986–1989)}}<br />Wim Kok {{nowrap|(1989–1994)}}
| predecessor         = [[Dries van Agt]]
| successor           = [[Wim Kok]]
| office1             = [[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]]
| term_start1         = 1 January 2001
| term_end1           = 20 February 2005
| 1blankname1         = {{nowrap|Secretary-General}}
| 1namedata1          = [[Kofi Annan]]
| predecessor1        = [[Sadako Ogata]]
| successor1          = [[António Guterres]]
| office2             = [[Leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal]]
| term_start2         = 25 October 1982
| term_end2           = 29 January 1994
| predecessor2        = [[Dries van Agt]]
| successor2          = [[Elco Brinkman]]
| office3             = [[Parliamentary leader]] in the [[House of Representatives (Netherlands)|House of Representatives]]
| term_start3         = 14 September 1989
| term_end3           = 7 November 1989
| predecessor3        = [[Bert de Vries]]
| successor3          = [[Elco Brinkman]]
| term_start4         = 3 June 1986
| term_end4           = 14 July 1986
| predecessor4        = Bert de Vries
| successor4          = Bert de Vries
| term_start5         = 24 August 1981
| term_end5           = 4 November 1982
| predecessor5        = Dries van Agt
| successor5          = Bert de Vries
| term_start6         = 7 November 1978
| term_end6           = 10 June 1981
| predecessor6        = [[Willem Aantjes]]
| successor6          = Dries van Agt
| office7             = Member of the [[House of Representatives (Netherlands)|House of Representatives]]
| term_start7         = 14 September 1989
| term_end7           = 7 November 1989
| term_start8         = 3 June 1986
| term_end8           = 14 July 1986
| term_start9         = 22 December 1977
| term_end9           = 4 November 1982
| term_start10        = 8 June 1977
| term_end10          = 8 September 1977
| office11            = [[List of Ministers of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands|Minister of Economic Affairs]]
| term_start11        = 11 May 1973
| term_end11          = 19 December 1977
| primeminister11     = [[Joop den Uyl]]
| predecessor11       = [[Harrie Langman]]
| successor11         = Gijs van Aardenne
| birthname           = Rudolphus Franciscus Marie Lubbers
| birth_date          = {{Birth date|df=y|1939|05|07}}
| birth_place         = [[Rotterdam]], Netherlands
| death_date          = {{Death date and age|df=y|2018|02|14|1939|05|07}}
| death_place         = Rotterdam, Netherlands
| nationality         = Dutch
| party               = [[Christian Democratic Appeal]] (from 1980)
| otherparty          = [[Catholic People's Party]] (1964–1980)
| spouse              = {{marriage|Ria Hoogeweegen|10 October 1962}}<!--Year omitted when marriage ends w/ death of article subject-->
| children            = 3
| residence           = 
| alma_mater          = [[Erasmus University Rotterdam|Rotterdam School of Economics]] ([[Bachelor of Economics|BEc]], [[Master of Economics|M.Econ]])
| occupation          = {{hlist|Activist|businessperson|[[Conservation movement|conservationist]]|[[Board of directors|corporate executive]]|diplomat|economist|[[Nonprofit organization|nonprofit executive]]|[[Lobbying|lobbyist]]|politician|professor}}
| signature           = Ruud Lubbers sig.png
| allegiance          = {{flag|Netherlands}}
| branch              = {{air force|Netherlands}}
| serviceyears        = 1962–1963 ([[Conscription]]) <br /> 1963–1969 ([[Military reserve force|Reserve]])
| rank                = [[File:Nl-luchtmacht-tweede luitenant.svg|15px]] [[Second lieutenant]]
| unit                = 
| commands            = 
| battles             = [[Cold War]]
| awards              = 
}}

'''Rudolphus Franciscus Marie''' "'''Ruud'''" '''Lubbers''' ({{IPA|nl|ryt ˈlʏbərs|-|Nl-Ruud Lubbers.ogg}}; 7 May 1939 – 14 February 2018) was a Dutch politician, diplomat and businessman who served as [[prime minister of the Netherlands]] from 1982 to 1994, and as [[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]] from 2001 to 2005.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2018/feb/15/longest-serving-dutch-prime-minister-ruud-lubbers-dies-1773445.html |title=Longest-serving Dutch prime minister Ruud Lubbers dies |date=15 February 2018 |agency=[[Agence France Presse]]}}</ref> He was a member of the [[Catholic People's Party]] (KVP), which later merged to become the [[Christian Democratic Appeal]] (CDA) party.

Lubbers studied Economics at the [[Erasmus University Rotterdam|Erasmus School of Economics]] obtaining a [[Master of Science]] degree and worked as a corporate director for the manufacturing company Hollandia in [[Rotterdam]] from April 1963 until May 1973 and as trade association executive for the [[VNO-NCW|Christian Employers' Association]] (NCW) from January 1965 until May 1973. After the [[1972 Dutch general election|election of 1972]] Lubbers was appointed as [[List of Ministers of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands|Minister of Economic Affairs]] in the [[Den Uyl cabinet]] taking office on 11 May 1973. Lubbers was elected as a [[House of Representatives (Netherlands)|Member of the House of Representatives]] after the [[1977 Dutch general election|election of 1977]] serving from 8 June 1977 until 8 September 1977. Following the [[1977 Dutch cabinet formation|cabinet formation of 1977]] Lubbers was asked to become [[List of Ministers of Infrastructure of the Netherlands|Minister of Housing and Spatial Planning]] in the new cabinet but declined and returned as a Member of the House of Representatives on 22 December 1977, serving as a [[frontbencher]] and spokesperson for [[Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy|Economic Affairs]]. Following the resignation of [[parliamentary leader]] [[Willem Aantjes]] Lubbers was selected as his successor taking office on 7 November 1978.

Shortly after the [[1982 Dutch general election|election of 1982]] incumbent prime minister and [[Leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal|CDA leader]] [[Dries van Agt]] unexpectedly announced he was stepping down and Lubbers was unanimously selected as his successor as Leader and the ''de facto'' next prime minister. Following [[1982 Dutch cabinet formation|cabinet formation of 1982]] Lubbers formed the [[first Lubbers cabinet]] and became prime minister taking office on 4 November 1982. For the [[1986 Dutch general election|election of 1986]] Lubbers served as [[lead candidate]] and after a [[1986 Dutch cabinet formation|cabinet formation]] formed the [[second Lubbers cabinet]] and continued as prime minister for a second term. For the [[1989 Dutch general election|election of 1989]] Lubbers again served as lead candidate and following another successful [[1989 Dutch cabinet formation|cabinet formation]] formed the [[third Lubbers cabinet]] and continued as prime minister for a third term. In October 1993 Lubbers announced he was stepping down as Leader, and that he would not stand at the [[1994 Dutch general election|election of 1994]] or serve another term as prime minister. He left office at the installation of the [[first Kok cabinet]] on 22 August 1994.

Lubbers semi-retired from active politics and became active in the [[public sector]] as a non-profit director and served on several state commissions and councils on behalf of the government, he also served as a distinguished visiting professor of [[international relations]] and [[globalization]] at the [[Tilburg University]] and the [[John F. Kennedy School of Government]] of the [[Harvard University]] in [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]] from February 1995 until December 2000. In November 2000 Lubbers was nominated as the next [[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]] serving from 1 January 2001 until 20 February 2005. Following his retirement Lubbers continued to be active in the public sector and worked as an advocate, lobbyist and activist for humanitarian, [[Conservation movement|conservation]], [[Environmental movement|environmentalism]], [[sustainable development]] and [[climate change]] issues. He was subject to some scrutiny, such as a [[sexual harassment]] scandal in 2004 which led to his resignation from the United Nations.

Lubbers was known for his abilities as a [[team leader]] and [[Consensus decision-making|consensus builder]]. During his premiership, his cabinets were responsible for major reforms to [[social security]], stimulating [[privatization]] and [[sustainable development]], revitalizing the [[Economy of the Netherlands|economy]] following the [[Early 1980s recession|recession in the 1980s]] and reducing the [[Government budget balance|deficit]]. Lubbers was granted the honorary title of [[Minister of State (Netherlands)|Minister of State]] on 31 January 1995 and continued to comment on political affairs as a statesman until his death at the age of 78. At 43 years, he is the youngest prime minister of the Netherlands. He was the longest-serving prime minister with {{Age in years and days|1982|11|4|1994|8|22|df=y}} until [[Mark Rutte]] overtook this record on 2 August 2022. He is consistently [[Historical rankings of prime ministers of the Netherlands|ranked]] both by scholars and the public as one of the best prime ministers after World War II.<ref>{{in lang|nl}} [http://www.geschiedenis24.nl/nieuws/2006/januari/Willem-Drees-gekozen-tot-D-premier-na-WO-II.html Willem Drees gekozen tot ‘Dé premier na WO II’], Geschiedenis24.nl, 15 January 2006</ref><ref>{{in lang|nl}} [http://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2013/09/28/nrc-enquete-drees-en-lubbers-beste-premiers-sinds-1900/ NRC-enquête: Drees en Lubbers beste premiers sinds 1900], NRC Handelsblad, 28 September 2013</ref>

==Biography==
===Early life===
Rudolphus Franciscus Marie Lubbers was born on 7 May 1939 in [[Rotterdam]] in the [[Provinces of the Netherlands|Province]] of [[South Holland]]. He studied economics at the [[Erasmus Universiteit|Erasmus University Rotterdam]] and was a student of the first [[Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel|Nobel Prize in Economics]] laureate [[Jan Tinbergen]]. As suggested by the title of his 1962 thesis – "The influence of differing productivity trends in various countries on the current account of the balance of payments" – his main interest was in monetary affairs. He originally planned an academic career but was compelled by family circumstances to join the management of Lubbers' Construction Workshops and Machinery Fabricators Hollandia B.V.

===Politics===
[[File:V.l.n.r. premiers Lubbers, Pierre Werner (Luxemburg) en Wilfried Martens (België, Bestanddeelnr 932-3952.jpg|thumb|left|Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers, [[List of prime ministers of Luxembourg|Prime Minister of Luxembourg]] [[Pierre Werner]] and [[Prime Minister of Belgium]] [[Wilfried Martens]] at the [[Binnenhof]] on 10 November 1982.]]

From 11 May 1973 to 19 December 1977, Ruud Lubbers was Minister of Economic Affairs in the [[Den Uyl cabinet]] and a member of the Catholic People's Party (KVP). He was an effective if sometimes somewhat bad-tempered minister. He chose to return to Parliament on the formation of the Van Agt government in 1977, becoming senior deputy parliamentary leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), the alliance between the KVP and the other two main Christian parties. His career got an unexpected boost when the leader of the parliamentary faction of the CDA, [[Willem Aantjes]], had to resign in 1978 because of accusations that he had served in the [[Germanic-SS]] during the [[Second World War]]. Lubbers succeeded him and suddenly found himself in a powerful political position.

[[File:Premier Thatcher (l) en premier Lubbers tijdens een persconferentie, Bestanddeelnr 932-7047.jpg|thumb|[[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom]] [[Margaret Thatcher]] and Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers at a press conference in [[The Hague]] on 19 September 1983.]]
In 1982, after the general election won by Prime Minister [[Dries van Agt]], a similar thing happened when Van Agt suddenly announced he would not serve for a third term. Lubbers took over the post. He was the youngest prime minister in Dutch history; he had turned 43 only six months earlier. Major aspects of his time in office included extensive cutbacks in public spending, the launch of far-reaching [[deregulation]] and [[privatization|privatisation]] programs, and a massive demonstration in [[The Hague]] (1983) against the planned installation in the Netherlands of nuclear-armed U.S. [[cruise missile]]s (which was cancelled after all due to arms reduction talks between the US and the Soviet Union).

[[File:Premier Lubbers (l) begroet premier Trudeau van Canada op vliegveld Valkenburg, Bestanddeelnr 932-7640.jpg|thumb|left|220px|Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers and [[Prime Minister of Canada]] [[Pierre Trudeau]] at [[Valkenburg Naval Air Base]] on 8 November 1983.]]
After leaving office in 1994, Lubbers was put forward as a candidate for the head of [[NATO]], but the U.S. vetoed his appointment. He was on the advisory board of the [[David Marsh (financial specialist)|Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum]] (OMFIF), where he was regularly involved in meetings regarding the financial and monetary system.

Lubbers was regarded by many during his time in office as an ideological heir to [[Margaret Thatcher]]. One of his campaign slogans was: "Meer markt, minder overheid" (more market, less government).

===Ecological activities===
[[File:Lubbers and Bongo 1984.jpg|thumb|Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers and [[List of Presidents of Gabon|President of Gabon]] [[Omar Bongo]] at [[Rotterdam The Hague Airport|Zestienhoven Airport]] on 7 November 1984.]]
In the follow-up of the [[Earth Summit]] in 1992, Lubbers engaged with the [[Earth Charter Initiative]] in cooperation with [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] and [[Maurice Strong]]. The [[Earth Charter]] document was launched in the [[Peace Palace]] in The Hague in June 2000. Lubbers was an active member of the International Earth Charter Commission and reached out, especially to youth in the Netherlands, with the message of the Earth Charter for a sustainable and peaceful world.

===Academic===
[[File:Bezoek Paus Johannes Paulus II aan Nederland Paus en premier Lubbers bij Catshu, Bestanddeelnr 933-3278.jpg|thumb|[[Pope John Paul II]] and Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers at the [[Catshuis]] on 13 May 1985.]]
From 1995 to 2000, he taught Globalization Studies at [[Tilburg University]] in the Netherlands and at the [[John F. Kennedy School of Government]] at [[Harvard University]] in the United States. He was also vice-chairman of the [[Independent World Commission on the Oceans]] and chair of Globus, the Institute for Globalization and Development based in [[Tilburg]].

===UN High Commissioner for Refugees===
At the end of the year 2000, Lubbers was appointed by the [[Secretary-General of the United Nations]] [[Kofi Annan]] to succeed [[Sadako Ogata]] as UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

[[File:NL-HaNA 2.24.01.05 0 934-0015.jpg|thumb|[[Leadership of East Germany|Leader of East-Germany]] [[Erich Honecker]], Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers and Minister of Foreign Affairs [[Hans van den Broek]] at [[Rotterdam The Hague Airport|Zestienhoven Airport]] on 3 June 1987.]]
From 1 January 2001, Lubbers headed the UNHCR, which comprised over 5,000 employees who work across the globe, and which was concerned with an estimated 21 million refugees and internally displaced in over 120 countries worldwide. During his tenure, the number of refugees worldwide decreased by almost 22%, from 21.8&nbsp;million in 2001 to close to 17.1&nbsp;million at the beginning of 2004.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/news/latest/2004/2/403b2afa4/lubbers-welcomes-drop-asylum-numbers-industrialised-countries.html |title=Lubbers welcomes drop in asylum numbers in industrialised countries |last=Colville |first=Rupert |date=24 February 2004 |work=United Nations High Commission on Human Rights |access-date=14 February 2018}}</ref>

Lubbers also favoured a generous refugee policy for the Netherlands, and he was critical of the Foreign Citizens Law (Vreemdelingenwet). He also stabilised the UNHCR's financial situation and greatly increased the financial means for the sheltering of refugees.{{Citation needed|date=October 2007}}

He annually donated some $300,000 to the refugee agency since he assumed his post in 2001, thereby covering his own $167,000 annual salary and travel expenses.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2003/10/81422-general-assembly-extends-term-un-high-commissioner-refugees |title=General Assembly extends term of UN High Commissioner for Refugees |date=6 October 2003 |website=United Nations |access-date=14 February 2018}}</ref>

====Sexual harassment complaint====
[[File:Bezoek bondskanselier Helmut Kohl Helmut Kohl en premier Lubbers in de tuin va, Bestanddeelnr 934-1402.jpg|thumb|[[Chancellor of Germany|Chancellor of West Germany]] [[Helmut Kohl]] and Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers at the [[Catshuis]] on 30 November 1987.]]
In May 2004, Lubbers was accused by Cynthia Brzak, an American UNHCR employee, of [[sexual harassment]] following a meeting in his office that was attended by two other UNHCR staff members. The complaint was reported in the media,<ref>[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0DE0DB153FF93BA25756C0A9629C8B63&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/L/Lubbers,%20Ruud New York Times 18 May 2004]{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> prompting Lubbers to inform UNHCR staff about the accusation. On this occasion, he denied any wrongdoing and rejected the allegation against him.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article200054229.html |title=Longest-serving Dutch premier, Ruud Lubbers, dies at 78 |last=Corder |first=Mike |date=14 February 2018 |work=News & Observer |access-date=14 February 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215143601/https://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article200054229.html |archive-date=15 February 2018 }}</ref> On 2 June 2004, the [[United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services]] (OIOS), which was tasked with investigating the accusation, sent its report to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.novatv.nl/uploaded/FILES/Onderzoeksrapport.pdf|title=OIOS Investigation report|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref><ref name="Supreme Court Annex 1 p.35">{{Cite web |url=http://www.iowatch.org/supremecourtcase.pdf |title=Supreme Court Annex 1 p.35 |access-date=29 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529131839/http://www.iowatch.org/supremecourtcase.pdf |archive-date=29 May 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In its public annual report to the UN Secretary-General (presented to the [[United Nations General Assembly|UN General Assembly]]), the OIOS reported concerning the case that it had "submitted a report to the Secretary-General supporting the allegations and recommended that appropriate actions be taken accordingly."<ref>[http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N04/508/29/PDF/N0450829.pdf?OpenElement A/59/359*  Report of the Office Internal Oversight Services to the UN General Assembly, p. 31]{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

[[File:Premier Lubbers ontvangt president Duarte, Bestanddeelnr 934-1085.jpg|thumb| Prime Minister of the Netherlands Lubbers receives President [[Jose Napoleon Duarte]] of [[El Salvador]].]] [[File:Premier Lubbers en President Bush in de tuin van het Catshuis, Bestanddeelnr 934-4836.jpg|thumb|President of the United States [[George H. W. Bush]] and Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers at the [[Catshuis]] on 17 July 1989.]]
Lubbers responded to the OIOS report in a letter setting out to (a) deny acts of sexual harassment or abuse took place; (b) establish that such evidence of the alleged misconduct as is said to exist is insufficient and flawed; and (c) conclude that the report itself would appear to be based on an irregular statutory basis and also flawed by errors of law and reasoning."<ref>[http://www.novatv.nl/uploaded/FILES/lubbers%201.pdf Lubbers memo pp 2–4] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529131850/http://www.novatv.nl/uploaded/FILES/lubbers%201.pdf |date=29 May 2008}}  [http://www.novatv.nl/uploaded/FILES/lubbers%202.pdf Lubbers Memo pp 5–8] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529131925/http://www.novatv.nl/uploaded/FILES/lubbers%202.pdf |date=29 May 2008}}[http://www.novatv.nl/uploaded/FILES/lubbers%203.pdf Lubbers Memo p 9] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529131916/http://www.novatv.nl/uploaded/FILES/lubbers%203.pdf |date=29 May 2008}}</ref>

[[File:Ruud Lubbers at Jong Management, symposium 100 jarig jubileum - 2016.jpg|thumb|Ruud Lubbers at a symposium on 10 June 2016.]]
Lubbers asked [[Max van der Stoel]], former [[High Commissioner on National Minorities]], to comment on the confidential report.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/News/briefings/docs/2005/db050222.doc.htm|title=DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL AND THE SPOKESMAN FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT – Meetings Coverage and Press Releases|website=www.un.org|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref> He concluded that "the OIOS report is deficient in objectivity and impartiality." He added, "that the only two other persons in the room did not provide evidence confirming the version given by the complainant." Furthermore, he accused UN officials of leaking information to the press and recommended that an investigation of the leaks be undertaken.<ref>[http://www.novatv.nl/uploaded/FILES/lubbers%203.pdf van der Stoel memo p 1 (after Lubbers p. 9)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529131916/http://www.novatv.nl/uploaded/FILES/lubbers%203.pdf |date=29 May 2008}}[http://www.novatv.nl/uploaded/FILES/lubbers%204.pdf van der Stoel memo pp 2–4] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529131838/http://www.novatv.nl/uploaded/FILES/lubbers%204.pdf |date=29 May 2008}}</ref>

The Secretary-General reviewed the report and the responses of the High Commissioner and the senior manager to the report, and decided that the complaint could not be substantiated by the evidence and therefore closed the matter."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B03E0DE153AF935A25754C0A9629C8B63&n=Top/Reference/Times+Topics/People/L/Lubbers,+Ruud|title=Annan Clears Refugee Chief Of Harassment Accusations|first=Fiona Fleck and Warren|last=Hoge|newspaper=The New York Times |date=16 July 2004 |access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref> He is also reported to have consulted with [[Stephen Schwebel]], an American judge and former President of the [[International Court of Justice]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2005/04/16/het-geheime-dossier-van-ruud-lubbers-10470736-a653659 |title=Het geheime dossier van Ruud Lubbers (The secret dossier of Ruud Lubbers) |last1=de Guyter |first1=Caroline |date=16 April 2005 |work=[[NRC Handelsblad]] |access-date=14 February 2018 |last2=van de Roer |first2=Robert}}</ref> The Secretary-General failed to order an investigation of the deliberate leaking by OIOS itself to the media as recommended by Max van der Stoel.

====Resignation====
In February 2005, the case was in the news again when the British daily newspaper ''[[The Independent]]'' obtained a copy of the OIOS report and, accompanied by an article by [[Kate Holt]], published its contents.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/harassment-intimidation-and-secrecy--un-chief-engulfed-in-sex-scandal-483851.html|title=Harassment, intimidation and secrecy – UN chief engulfed in sex|website=[[Independent.co.uk]] |date=18 February 2005 |access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref>

Lubbers met with the Secretary-General on 18 February 2005, and resigned as High Commissioner on Sunday, 20 February 2005, stating to the press: "For more than four years I gave all my energy to UNHCR. To be frank, despite all my loyalty, insult has now been added to injury and therefore I resign as High Commissioner."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/un-refugee-chief-resigns-over-sexual-harassment-scandal/ |title=U.N. refugee chief resigns over sexual harassment scandal |last=Higgins |first=Alexander G. |date=20 February 2005 |work=[[Seattle Times]] |access-date=14 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/ruud-lubbers-long-serving-dutch-prime-minister-who-trimmed-welfare-state-dies-at-78/2018/02/14/fa148600-11b0-11e8-9065-e55346f6de81_story.html |title=Ruud Lubbers, long-serving Dutch prime minister who trimmed welfare state, dies at 78 |last=Corder |first=Mike |date=14 February 2018 |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |access-date=14 February 2018}}</ref> The Secretary-General's office issued a statement the same day which stated that the High Commissioner's resignation was in the best interests of the UNHCR.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A39901-2005Feb20.html|title=U.N. Official Quits in Harassment Case (washingtonpost.com)|website=www.washingtonpost.com|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref> In his letter of resignation, Lubbers stated that his resignation constituted no expression of guilt, but that he had become the victim of smearing, adding that he had resigned "in the interest of the organisation".<ref>[http://www.nos.nl/gfx/nieuws/overig/ResignationLetter.swf Resignation letter] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529131839/http://www.nos.nl/gfx/nieuws/overig/ResignationLetter.swf |date=29 May 2008}}</ref> In October 2005, Annan reiterated that he had come to the conclusion that "the evidence did not support the accusation" but that, because of ongoing media-pressure, Lubbers' resignation was in the best interests of the UNHCR.<ref>[http://www.unog.ch/80256EDD006B9C2E/(httpNewsByYear_en)/723BEBDF06FF1B43C12570F1004B62EE?OpenDocument Geneva Press Conference 2005-10-10]{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

During a farewell meeting for Lubbers as High Commissioner for Refugees, he received from Acting High Commissioner [[Wendy Chamberlin]] the first annual UNHCR Achievement Award for exceptional services to UNHCR and for the world's refugees.<ref>[http://unhcr.org.ua/unhcr_bel/news.php?in=1&news_id=68%20High%20Commissioner%20Lubbers%20departs%20UNHCR UNHCR News 25 February 2005 High Commissioner Lubbers departs UNHCR] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831220612/http://unhcr.org.ua/unhcr_bel/news.php?in=1&news_id=68%20High%20Commissioner%20Lubbers%20departs%20UNHCR |date=31 August 2011 }}</ref>

In a formal statement, Netherlands Prime Minister [[Jan Peter Balkenende]] called the departure of Lubbers "bitter", since the complaint against him had been dismissed as unsustainable.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.volkskrant.nl/politiek/balkenende-wrang-dat-lubbers-opstapt~a662401/ |title=Balkenende: wrang dat Lubbers opstapt |date=20 February 2005 |work=[[De Volkskrant]] |access-date=14 February 2018}}</ref>

===== Handling of the UNHCR/SC-UK 2002 report on sexual exploitation in the aid sector in West Africa =====

Three years prior to the controversy over the sexual harassment case, Lubbers was criticised for his handling of the UNHCR/SC-UK 2002 which uncovered the widespread sexual exploitation of refugee children by aid workers and peacekeepers in three West African countries (Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone). The study team which had encountered these findings unexpectedly whilst conducting a broader assessment documented 67 allegations implicating 40 aid agencies and several peacekeeping battalions, often involving humanitarian workers and peacekeepers exchanging meagre aid supplies for sex with children.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unhcr.org/uk/partners/partners/3c7cf89a4/note-implementing-operational-partners-unhcr-save-children-uk-sexual-violence.html|title=Note for Implementing and Operational Partners by UNHCR and Save the Children-UK on Sexual Violence & Exploitation: The Experience of Refugee Children in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone|first=United Nations High Commissioner for|last=Refugees}}</ref><ref>https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/content/dam/global/reports/health-and-nutrition/sexual_violence_and_exploitation_1.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>
Lubbers' response was to deny these findings, discredit the authors and excuse these behaviours; for example in a CNN interview on 8 May 2002, Lubbers was heard to deny the problem in the face of CNN's own research which confirmed the problem existed and was taken to task by the interviewer for dismissing these exploitative relationships ''inter alia'' as 'romances'.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://transcripts.cnn.com/|title=CNN.com – Transcripts|website=CNN}}</ref> The UN General Assembly passed resolution A/RES/57/306, 'Investigation into sexual exploitation of refugees by aid workers in West Africa' in May 2003, requiring the UN to take action at the highest level to tackle such abuses.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N02/561/73/PDF/N0256173.pdf?OpenElement|title=ODS HOME PAGE|first=ODS|last=Team|website=documents-dds-ny.un.org}}</ref> This led to the UN Secretary-General's Bulletin, 'Special measures for protection from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse' in October 2003,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/focal-points/documents-public/secretary-general-s-bulleting-special-measures-protection-sexual|title=Secretary-General's Bulletin: Special measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, 2003 – IASC|website=interagencystandingcommittee.org}}</ref> and an endorsement of the Inter-agency Standing Committee's working group on sexual abuse and exploitation which had already been set up a year earlier in June 2002 in response to the report.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://interagencystandingcommittee.org/product-categories/protection-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation|title=Protection from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation – IASC|website=interagencystandingcommittee.org}}</ref>

===Informateur===

After the fall of the [[Second Balkenende cabinet]], Lubbers became the ''informateur'' for the [[2006 Dutch cabinet formation|formation]] of the [[Demissionary cabinet|demissionary]] interim [[Third Balkenende cabinet]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.volkskrant.nl/politiek/informateur-lubbers-komt-even-meedenken~a759748/ |title=Informateur Lubbers komt even meedenken |last=du Pré |first=Raoul |date=3 July 2006 |work=[[De Volkskrant]] |access-date=14 February 2018}}</ref>

For the [[2010 Dutch cabinet formation]], after coalition meetings between [[People's Party for Freedom and Democracy]], [[Labour Party (Netherlands)|Labour Party]], [[Democrats 66]], and [[GreenLeft]] failed to form a new [[Purple (government)|Purple government]], Lubbers was asked again to become Informateur to seek possibilities for a new coalition.<ref>{{in lang|nl}} [http://nos.nl/video/173528-koningin-benoemt-lubbers-tot-informateur.html Koningin benoemt Lubbers tot informateur] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723184821/http://nos.nl/video/173528-koningin-benoemt-lubbers-tot-informateur.html |date=23 July 2010}}</ref>

==Personal life and death==
On 10 October 1962, Lubbers married {{ill|Ria Hoogeweegen|nl|Ria Lubbers}} (1940–2024)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dbnl.org/tekst/jous008ruud01_01/jous008ruud01_01_0002.php|title=Arendo Joustra en Erik van Venetië, Ruud Lubbers. Manager in de politiek · dbnl|last=DBNL|website=DBNL|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ruudlubbers.nl/ruudlubbersbiografie.php|title=Prof. Drs. R.F.M. Lubbers|website=www.ruudlubbers.nl|access-date=18 August 2018|archive-date=27 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127045347/http://www.ruudlubbers.nl/ruudlubbersbiografie.php|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://images.nrc.nl/q9LgKR5okiy7i756T3O8EhLJNgA=/x/filters:no_upscale():format(jpeg):fill(f8f8f8,true)/s3/nrchub/clippings/NH/20240608/430-advertisement-273198_1326291_lubbers-hoogeweegen01-f99980.png|title=Ria Lubbers-Hoogeweegen death notice|website=NRC|access-date=8 June 2024|lang=nl}}</ref><ref name=nos>{{cite news |first=|last=|title=Ria Lubbers (83), weduwe van oud-premier Ruud Lubbers, overleden |url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2523632-ria-lubbers-83-weduwe-van-oud-premier-ruud-lubbers-overleden |work=[[Nederlandse Omroep Stichting]] |publisher= |date=2024-06-08 |access-date=2024-07-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609031241/https://nos.nl/artikel/2523632-ria-lubbers-83-weduwe-van-oud-premier-ruud-lubbers-overleden |archive-date=2024-06-09 |url-status=live}}</ref> and had two sons and one daughter, Paul, Bart and Heleen.

Lubbers died in Rotterdam on 14 February 2018, at the age of 78.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/02/14/world/europe/ap-eu-netherlands-obit-lubbers.html |title=Longest-Serving Dutch Premier, Ruud Lubbers, Dies at 78 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=14 February 2018 |access-date=14 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/ruud-lubbers-former-dutch-netherlands-prime-minister-dies/|title=Ruud Lubbers, former Dutch prime minister, dies|date=14 February 2018|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref> Among the world leaders who offered condolences were former [[President of the Soviet Union]] [[Mikhail Gorbachev]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gorby.ru/en/presscenter/news/show_29827/|title=Dear Lubbers' family members and Ruud's friends|publisher=Mikhail Gorbachev|date=15 February 2018|access-date=16 February 2018}}</ref> [[Prime Minister of Russia]] and former [[President of Russia]] [[Dmitry Medvedev]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.government.ru/en/news/31417/|title=Dmitry Medvedev expresses condolences to Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Mark Rutte on the death of former Dutch Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers|publisher=The Russian Government|date=17 February 2018|access-date=21 February 2018}}</ref> [[Chancellor of Germany]] [[Angela Merkel]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bundeskanzlerin.de/Content/DE/Mitschrift/Pressekonferenzen/2018/02/2018-02-19-statements-merkel-rutte.html|title=Pressestatements von Bundeskanzlerin Merkel und dem niederländischen Premierminister Rutte|publisher=Bundeskanzleramt|date=19 February 2018|access-date=21 February 2018}}</ref> [[Secretary-General of the United Nations]] and former [[Prime Minister of Portugal]] and [[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]] [[António Guterres]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sgsm18896.doc.htm|title=Secretary-General Extends Heartfelt Condolences on Death of Ruud Lubbers|publisher=United Nations|date=15 February 2018|access-date=16 February 2018}}</ref> [[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]] [[Filippo Grandi]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unhcr.org/news/press/2018/2/5a859cf84/news-comment-death-former-un-high-commissioner-refugees-ruud-lubbers.html|title=News comment: Death of former UN High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers|publisher=United Nations|date=15 February 2018|access-date=16 February 2018}}</ref> and [[President of the European Commission]] and former [[List of Prime Ministers of Luxembourg|Prime Minister of Luxembourg]] [[Jean-Claude Juncker]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/JunckerEU/status/964084723797712897|title=Twitter|publisher=Jean-Claude Juncker|date=15 February 2018|access-date=16 February 2018}}</ref> His ceremonial funeral was held in Rotterdam on 20 February 2018 and was attended by Prime Minister [[Mark Rutte]] and all living former [[Prime Minister of the Netherlands|Prime Ministers]] [[Dries van Agt]], [[Wim Kok]] and [[Jan Peter Balkenende]] and other high-profile (former) politicians. This was also the last public appearance of his successor as Prime Minister Wim Kok, who himself died eight months later at the age of 80.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elsevierweekblad.nl/nederland/achtergrond/2018/02/de-uitvaart-van-ruud-lubbers-in-beeld-588343/|title=De uitvaart van Ruud Lubbers in beeld – Elsevierweekblad.nl|date=20 February 2018|access-date=18 August 2018|archive-date=6 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806230234/https://www.elsevierweekblad.nl/nederland/achtergrond/2018/02/de-uitvaart-van-ruud-lubbers-in-beeld-588343/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nos.nl/artikel/2218375-uitvaart-en-begrafenis-lubbers-in-besloten-kring.html|title=Uitvaart en begrafenis Lubbers in besloten kring|date=20 February 2018 |access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ad.nl/politiek/veel-staatslieden-bij-herdenking-oud-premier-ruud-lubbers~a15607d6/|title=Veel staatslieden bij herdenking oud premierRuud Lubbers|website=www.ad.nl|access-date=18 August 2018}}</ref>

In 2024 it was revealed Lubbers died via [[euthanasia]] after having been diagnosed with [[vascular dementia]] some years prior.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-03 |title=Nieuwe biografie over Ruud Lubbers: 'Hij koos met euthanasie zijn eigen weg' |url=https://nos.nl/nieuwsuur/artikel/2543131-nieuwe-biografie-over-ruud-lubbers-hij-koos-met-euthanasie-zijn-eigen-weg |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=NOS |language=nl}}</ref>
{{-}}

==Decorations==
===Honours===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:65%;"
|- style="background:#ccf; text-align:center;"
|+ Honours
! Ribbon bar !! Honour !! Country !! Date !! Comment
|-
| [[File:Order of the Netherlands Lion ribbon - Knight Grand Cross.svg|70px]]
| [[Grand Cross|Knight Grand Cross]] of the [[Order of the Netherlands Lion]]
| Netherlands
| 8 October 1994
| <small>Elevated from Knight <br /> (11 April 1978)</small>
|-
|}

===Awards===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:65%;"
|- style="background:#ccf; text-align:center;"
|+ Awards
! Ribbon bar !! Award !! Country !! Date
|-
|
| [[Honorary citizenship|Honorary citizen]] of [[Maastricht]]
| Netherlands
| 1994
|-
|
| [[Four Freedoms Award]] (Special Presentation)
| United States / Netherlands
| 3 April 1995
|-
|
| [[Van Oldenbarneveltpenning]] of [[Rotterdam]]
| Netherlands
| 2003
|-
|}

===Honorary degrees===
{| class="wikitable" style="width:65%;"
|- style="background:#ccf; text-align:center;"
|+ Honorary degrees
! University !! Field !! City / Country !! Date
|-
| [[University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro]]
| Political science and Economics
| [[Vila Real, Portugal|Vila Real]], Portugal
| 1989
|-
| [[Georgetown University]]
| Law
| Washington, D.C., United States
| 1993
|-
| [[Hankuk University of Foreign Studies]]
| Political science
| [[Seoul]], [[South-Korea]]
| 1993
|-
| [[Grand Valley State University]]
| Political science
| [[Allendale Charter Township, Michigan|Allendale]], [[Michigan]], United States
| 1994
|-
| [[Radboud University Nijmegen]]
| Economics
| [[Nijmegen]], Netherlands
| 6 September 2004
|-
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{Cite Q|Q131749236}}

==External links==
* {{in lang|nl}} [http://www.parlement.com/id/vg09llfurayx/r_f_m_ruud_lubbers Dr. R.F.M. (Ruud) Lubbers] Parlement & Politiek
* {{in lang|nl}} [https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/regering/inhoud/over-de-regering/ministers-van-staat/drs-r-f-m-lubbers Drs. R.F.M. Lubbers] Rijksoverheid

{{Commons category}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Willem Aantjes]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Leader of the [[Christian Democratic Appeal]] <br/> in the [[House of Representatives (Netherlands)|House of Representatives]]|years=1978–1981}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Dries van Agt]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Dries van Agt]]|rows=2}}
{{s-ttl|title=Leader of the [[Christian Democratic Appeal]] <br/> in the [[House of Representatives (Netherlands)|House of Representatives]]|years=1981–1982}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Bert de Vries]]}}
|-
{{s-ttl|title=[[Leader of the Christian Democratic Appeal]]|years=1982–1994}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Elco Brinkman]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Bert de Vries]]|rows=2}}
{{s-ttl|title=Leader of the [[Christian Democratic Appeal]] <br/> in the [[House of Representatives (Netherlands)|House of Representatives]]|years=1986}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Bert de Vries]]}}
|-
{{s-ttl|title=Leader of the [[Christian Democratic Appeal]] <br/> in the [[House of Representatives (Netherlands)|House of Representatives]]|years=1989}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Elco Brinkman]]}}
|-
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Harrie Langman]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Ministers of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands|Minister of Economic Affairs]]|years=1973–1977}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Gijs van Aardenne]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Dries van Agt]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Prime Minister of the Netherlands]] <br/> [[Ministry of General Affairs|Minister of General Affairs]]|years=1982–1994}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Wim Kok]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Jan de Koning (Christian Democratic Appeal)|Jan de Koning]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Ministers of Kingdom Relations of the Netherlands|Minister for Netherlands Antilles and Aruba Affairs]]<br />{{small|Acting}}|years=1989}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Ernst Hirsch Ballin]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Ernst Hirsch Ballin]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Ministers of Kingdom Relations of the Netherlands|Minister for Netherlands Antilles and Aruba Affairs]]|years=1994}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Joris Voorhoeve]]}}
|-
{{s-dip}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Sadako Ogata]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]]|years=2001–2005}}
{{s-aft|after=[[António Guterres]]}}
|-
{{s-npo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Syed Babar Ali]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=President of the [[World Wide Fund for Nature]]|years=1999–2001}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Sara Morrison]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Jan Terlouw]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chairman of the [[Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands]]|years=2005–2012}}
{{s-aft|after={{ill|Aad Veenman|nl}}}}
{{s-end}}

{{Ministers of State the Netherlands}}
{{Prime Ministers of the Netherlands}}
{{Ministers of Kingdom Relations of the Netherlands}}
{{Ministers of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands}}
{{Presidents of the European Council}}
{{Third Lubbers cabinet}}
{{Second Lubbers cabinet}}
{{First Lubbers cabinet}}
{{Den Uyl cabinet}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lubbers, Ruud}}
[[Category:1939 births]]
[[Category:2018 deaths]]
[[Category:2018 suicides]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Rotterdam]]
[[Category:Catholic People's Party politicians]]
[[Category:Christian Democratic Appeal politicians]]
[[Category:Deaths by euthanasia]]
[[Category:Deaths from vascular dementia]]
[[Category:Deaths from dementia in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Dutch anti-war activists]]
[[Category:Dutch chief executives in the manufacturing industry]]
[[Category:Dutch conservationists]]
[[Category:Dutch corporate directors]]
[[Category:Dutch expatriates in the United States]]
[[Category:Dutch nonprofit directors]]
[[Category:Dutch nonprofit executives]]
[[Category:Dutch officials of the United Nations]]
[[Category:Dutch lobbyists]]
[[Category:Dutch Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:Dutch development economists]]
[[Category:Euthanasia in the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Erasmus University Rotterdam alumni]]
[[Category:Hybrid electric vehicle advocates]]
[[Category:Harvard Kennedy School faculty]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Christian Democratic Appeal]]
[[Category:Members of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts]]
[[Category:Members of the House of Representatives (Netherlands)]]
[[Category:Ministers of economic affairs of the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Ministers of kingdom relations of the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Ministers of state of the Netherlands]]
[[Category:International economists]]
[[Category:Royal Netherlands Air Force officers]]
[[Category:Sustainability advocates]]
[[Category:People from Dalfsen]]
[[Category:Politicians from Rotterdam]]
[[Category:Presidents of the European Council]]
[[Category:Prime ministers of the Netherlands]]
[[Category:Academic staff of Tilburg University]]
[[Category:United Nations High Commissioners for Refugees]]
[[Category:Under-Secretaries-General of the United Nations]]
[[Category:20th-century Dutch businesspeople]]
[[Category:20th-century Dutch diplomats]]
[[Category:20th-century Dutch economists]]
[[Category:20th-century Dutch military personnel]]
[[Category:21st-century Dutch businesspeople]]
[[Category:21st-century Dutch diplomats]]
[[Category:21st-century Dutch economists]]
[[Category:21st-century Dutch politicians]]