Thursday 26 March 2009
In the Inquiry Report published in February by the Charity Commission, as well as finding no evidence to substantiate allegations of illegal activity on the part of the Charity, a Statutory Order was made requiring Interpal to comply with certain directives in order to improve further our policies and procedures. These were specifically designed to ensure due diligence and risk management to an even greater level of effectiveness and verification.
As was made clear in our initial statement following publication of the Report, Interpal cooperated fully with the Inquiry Team and has always been ready and willing to implement Charity Commission guidance.
One of the requirements of the Statutory Order was for Interpal to “dissociate” from the international umbrella body the Union for Good. A meeting of the organisation’s central working committee is being held today in Beirut, Lebanon, where Interpal’s membership of the Union for Good will come officially to an end. Written confirmation of this has already been sent to the governing body of the organisation, and an acknowledgement has been received by Interpal. In addition, Interpal’s Vice-Chairman, Dr. Essam Mustafa, has formally resigned his position as General Secretary of the Union for Good, another requirement of the Commission’s Order.
“I am happy to repeat that my fellow Trustees and I, along with our dedicated staff, will make every effort to implement the terms of the Statutory Order in full within the timescale set for us,” said Interpal’s Chairman, Ibrahim Hewitt. “What has taken place today in Beirut,” he added, “is the first step on the route to full compliance with the Statutory Order.”
Furthermore, Interpal is planning further discussions with the wider charity sector in the UK in order to share good practice among those charities working to alleviate the dreadful conditions faced by Palestinians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and refugee camps around the region. Interpal will continue to work with UNRWA and other local partners, to ensure the most effective distribution of humanitarian relief and development aid.
For further information, please call Ibrahim Hewitt on 07976 327119
