“Misplaced Trust” shows how development banks are putting human rights defenders at serious risk by relying on their clients to address reprisals. The report, published by the Coalition for Human Rights in Development in July 2023, is based on the analysis of 38 case studies of reprisals in the context of development projects. According to this analysis, in all but two cases development banks’ clients have played a direct role in the perpetration of attacks.
The report also includes a series of recommendations, indicating that development banks should stop to delegate reprisal risk assessment and response to clients. Instead, they should develop protocols and guidelines for what they will do themselves on reprisal issues, in close consultation with community members and human rights defenders.
Key Findings
The cases analyzed in “Misplaced Trust” show that:
- In all but two of the cases, clients play a role in the perpetration of reprisals against defenders.
- Reprisals where the responsibility can be attributed to the clients range from threats to killings; criminalization is one of the most common types of reprisals.
- Reprisals are typically perpetrated by security forces, private companies’ staff/contractors, and state and government officials.
- Public security forces often play a role in perpetrating or facilitating reprisals.
- Often, clients also contribute to the conditions leading to reprisals (e.g., failing to ensure meaningful consultations).
The analysis of the policies of eight major development banks show that the banks tend to rely on client-generated information for key processes (such as environmental and social risk assessments, stakeholder engagement, and consultations with affected communities) that are key to prevent and address reprisals.
Even when civil society organizations raise concerns, banks are slow to respond. They are unable – or rather, unwilling – to verify information from civil society actors. One of the largest clients of development banks in my country (Uzebkistan), for example, is the cotton producer Indorama Agro, despite disturbing reports of reprisals against activists and other violations linked to this company.
Would you like to help us hold development banks accountable and call on them to stop reprisals?
Stay in Touch
;
If you are in #Tbilisi, don't miss this beautiful art exhibition organised by @forum_adb showcasing some of the stories of communities across #Asia impacted by @ADB_HQ projects
👇 👇👇
🌍 Join us for an insightful session on protecting people and the planet!
🌿 Forum is shedding light on CSO reflections regarding the @ADB_HQ Draft ESF and proposed changes in safeguards policy.
We'll discuss recommendations to safeguard project-affected individuals and…
🎨✨ In TBILISI now!
🌊 Explore a preview of our exhibition exposing the link between environmental degradation, social injustice, and human rights violations caused by @ADB_HQ projects.
With @ceebankwatch, @RightsinDevt, Green Alternative ✊🏽
Can't make it? No worries, catch…
The Lower Sesan 2 Dam is being partly funded by ABBank, a financial intermediary (FI) client of the @IFC_org. Financial intermediaries represent the nexus between development finance and commercial banking.
Read about the Lower Sesan 2 Dam Project here: http://bit.ly/IFC_LowerSesan2
