The Board of Directors of the Centre for Social Studies (CES) confirms that it received today, 26 November, a request from Prof. Boaventura de Sousa Santos to withdraw as an Associate of CES and to renounce the title of Director Emeritus.

In a public announcement, Prof Boaventura de Sousa Santos raises a number of questions and suspicions regarding the previous enquiry process (and its conduct), which began following the release of the Independent Commission Report and the subsequent spontaneous lifting of the anonymity of whistleblowers. In this context, it is important to clarify that:

- the prior investigation process was aimed at ascertaining specific facts and their agents, and an external and independent investigation team was appointed;

- throughout the process, the Board of Directors and the investigation team remained committed to formal rigour and to ensuring that the people denounced had the opportunity to be heard;

- in the investigation process, the investigators confront the people who testify with the full facts of the case, in an oral and immediate environment, and evaluate the answers given in this context by all the people who testify before them, if they wish to do so;

- the investigating team always ensured that the people denounced would have the opportunity to provide any evidence they wished, whether documentary or testimonial;

- during the course of the enquiry, the Board was guided by standards of conduct that were reserved and discreet, and did not reveal the existence of the people denounced or their identity;

- the process was finalised, and the report was submitted to the CES Board of Directors. However, in view of what was said in the first paragraph, any subsequent action is superveniently futile.

The CES Board of Directors continues to recognise the conclusions and recommendations in the Independent Commission's report as valid and relevant and is committed to developing and implementing an effective policy to prevent and combat all forms of harassment.

The CES Board of Directors recognises the importance of Boaventura de Sousa Santos' academic work and driving role at CES, as its founder in 1978, its Director until 2019 and Director Emeritus since then, contributing decisively to the centre's national and international profile.

We remain focused on the future and on consolidating a dynamic, high-quality research environment based on the principles of scientific freedom, integrity, ethics and responsibility.

The CES Board of Directors