(CNN) The Southern Poverty Law Center has fired its co-founder Morris Dees, the nonprofit announced Thursday.

Dees' termination was effective on Wednesday. The Alabama-based nonprofit activist group is known for tracking civil rights and hate crimes in the United States.

SPLC President Richard Cohen did not cite a specific reason for Dees' dismissal but noted in a statement released Thursday that the organization "is committed to ensuring that the conduct of our staff reflects the mission of the organization and the values we hope to instill in the world."

"When one of our own fails to meet those standards, no matter his or her role in the organization, we take it seriously and must take appropriate action," he added.

Dees, 82, was also the former chief litigator. He co-founded the SPLC in 1971.

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