Jan 10, 2019 by members
Coalition members comment on resignation of World Bank President
January 9, 2019. The President of the World Bank Group, Jim Yong Kim, announced he is stepping down from his position this February 1, 2019 to take a position with Global Infrastructure Partners, a private investment firm that did extensive business with the Bank during Kim’s tenure.
In a blog, Accountability Counsel’s Natalie Bridgeman Fields raises ethics concerns regarding Kim’s transition to a private investment firm, including potential violation of the institution’s own code of conduct. “The priorities he championed of “crowding in the private sector” and dramatically scaling up financial intermediary lending further remove the voice of project-affected people from the Bank’s decision making,” she writes. “We look forward to a future leader who better listens to those the Bank was established to serve and plays to the Bank’s potential strengths in a changing era of competition.”
Many have also raised concern about the possibility that Kim’s replacement will be selected by the US administration, as has been the unwritten agreement at the Bank previously, without a fair selection process.
Oxfam’s Nadia Dar stresses the need to implement Kim’s commitments on climate change and for an “open, transparent and merit-based selection process for Kim’s successor.”
Urgewald’s Knud Voecking commented, “His direct move into the investment industry without any ‘cooling off’ is a scandal. We criticise in the strongest terms that Kim is switching to a field of business which he had endowed with large sums of money during his term of office.” Adding, “[t]he World Bank must serve the interests of the poorest again and must not degenerate into a self-service shop for the investment industry.”
BIC Europe writes: “At a minimum, the Bank must now issue a satisfactory explanation for Kim’s sudden resignation and his immediate move to the private sector.” Also that “a new and more democratic selection procedure must ensure that Kim’s successor is chosen not by the US President but by all stakeholders in a fair and transparent manner, recognising the development mandate at the heart of the World Bank’s mission.”
Bank Information Center calls for any new World Bank president to be committed to implementing the institution’s development mission in a way that is community-driven, reduces inequality, is sustainable, and fulfills human rights.
Kristalina Georgieva, World Bank CEO will assume the role of interim President. Read the World Bank press release here.
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Jan 31, 2022 by CHRD
COVID-19: You can’t have a recovery using the same bad medicine
We are beginning 2022 with the world reeling under rising Omicron cases. It has been two years since the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a public health emergency of international concern. And we still have pressing questions around how we shepherd ourselves out of the pande
Jan 30, 2022 by CHRD
Missing receipts: what happened to the billions of dollars provided by international finance institutions for the COVID-19 response?
PRESS RELEASE 31 January, 2022 – International Financial Institutions (IFIs) have designated billions of dollars to respond to the pandemic and related social and economic crises. Yet, there is a concerning lack of transparency on how these funds were spent and serious doubts on whether t
Jan 25, 2022 by CHRD
#Dev4Africa: a new campaign to demand AfDB more transparency and respect human rights
#Dev4Africa is a campaign launched by grassroots groups, Indigenous Peoples, civil society organizations, communities, workers, women, and other right-holders and allies who share the common belief that fair and sustainable development in Africa is possible. The campaign supporters want t
Nov 22, 2021 by CHRD
Nov 22, 2021 by members
More than 70 CSOs raise their concerns about the review process of AfDB’s Integrated Safeguard System
On November 19, more than 70 civil society organizations from across the African continent and international supporters addressed a letter to the African Development Bank (AfDB), to raise their concerns about the review process of its Integrated Safeguard System (ISS).
Nov 09, 2021 by members
Recommendations to strengthen IDB Group’s engagement with Civil Society and Project Affected Communities
On November 8, 2021, 30 civil society organizations - including many Coalition members - addressed a letter to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), expressing their concerns in regard to the process to review the second IDB Group-Civil Society Action Plan (2022-2024).
Jul 19, 2021 by CHRD
Unhealthy Silence: Development banks’ inaction on retaliation during COVID-19
On Tuesday July 27 (1 pm UTC time) join us for a webinar where we will launch the report "Unhealthy Silence" and present its key findings.
Mar 02,2021
Mar 02, 2021 by members
Too little, too late: World Bank rents military land despite partial loans freeze, and MFI inaction risks legitimizing the junta
Myanmar’s nationwide civil disobedience movement (CDM), based on “no recognition, no participation,” is key to stopping the military from consolidating power after its 1 February 2021 coup d’état. Multilateral finance institutions (MFIs) must support the CDM, stating they will not deal with
Nov 30, 2020 by CHRD
Global Summit of Development Banks Fails to Learn from Destructive Past
In November, 450 public development banks from around the world met for the Finance in Common Summit at the Paris Peace Forum. They gathered to discuss how they can direct their combined investments of over USD 2 trillion – 10% of total investments in the world – “to support the transformation or the
Oct 08, 2020 by CHRD
Covid-19, development finance and attacks against journalists
Around the world, journalists, bloggers, medical workers, human rights defenders and all those who are raising concerns for the inadequate response to the Covid-19 pandemic are under attack. In an attempt to silence their dissenting voices, they are being accused of spreading false informatio
Oct 22, 2019 by CHRD
Webinar: Attacks Against Defenders and the Role of Development Banks
Join us for a Webinar October 30 to discuss the report “Uncalculated Risks: Threats and attacks against human rights defenders and the role of development financiers”. This groundbreaking report from the Defenders in Development Campaign uses 25 case studies from around the globe
Oct 10, 2019 by members
Environmental Activists at Mercy of Business at All Costs
Environmental activists at mercy of business at all costs - new report shows how investors must take action
Jun 04, 2019 by CHRD
“Uncalculated Risks” exposes threats and attacks against defenders in development
Together with the Defenders in Development Campaign, we launched today the new report “Uncalculated Risks: Threats and attacks against human rights defenders and the role of development financiers.” With 25 case studies from around the world, the report exposes the risks of megap
Jan 21, 2019 by members
IAP produces Community Action Guides with local activists and partners
International Accountability Project (IAP) released a new set of community guides to help communities conduct their own research and in the process define their development priorities and aspirations. The “Community Action Guide on Community-Led Research” set of 3 booklets provides clear an
Nov 12, 2018 by CHRD
Release: Defenders in Development Campaign Welcomes IFC Position Statement on Reprisals
Groups encourage development of robust protocols for implementation given growing threats November 12, 2018 — Human rights groups and accountability organizations welcomed the International Finance Corporation’s recently released Position Statement on Retaliation Against Civil Socie
Sep 02,2018
UN Report on Criminalization of IPs
UN Special Rapporteur Victoria Tauli Corpuz just released a hard-hitting report on “the drastic increase in attacks and acts of violence against, criminalization of and threats aimed at indigenous peoples, particularly those arising in the context of large-scale projects involving extrac
Aug 10, 2018 by CHRD
Indigenous tell IDBInvest to divest from Guatemala dams
This week as we celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day, communities affected by the Pojom II and San Andrés dams in the microregion of Ixquisis, Guatemala, filed a complaint with the independent accountability mechanism of the Inter-American Development Bank urging IDB Invest, the bank’s p
May 22, 2018 by CHRD
Press Release: CSOs Urge AfDB to Promote the Interests of Ordinary Africans over Mega Investors at its Annual Meetings
As the African Development Bank (AfDB) meets in Busan, South Korea from May 21-25 to discuss Industrialising Africa, Civil society Organisations (CSOs) from across the continent red flagged the Bank’s steer towards mega investments without a clear action plan for human centred inclusive development.
Mar 13, 2018 by members
What a new US development finance institution needs to succeed
A bipartisan group of senators and representatives introduced the Better Utilization of Investment Leading to Development (BUILD) Act, which, if enacted, would create a new agency called the United States International Development Finance Corporation. The IDFC would absorb the Overseas Pri
Jan 22, 2018 by members
Indigenous Sengwer herder killed in connection with EU-funded project
On January 16, two Sengwer herders were shot by Kenya Forest Service guards implementing an EU-funded development project – the Water Towers Protection and Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation (WaTER) Project. What UN experts have called “repeated attacks and forced evictions by ag
Dec 11, 2017 by CHRD
A Dangerous Enterprise: Development Finance and the Fight for Human Rights
[This article was originally published online in July in Fundación Ambiente y Recursos Naturales’ 2017 Environmental Report. It is being reposted here in honor of Human Rights Day] Across Latin America and the world, governments and investors are pushing for a dramatic increase in
Oct 23, 2017 by members
Guide to the AfDB’s accountability mechanism
The Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) was established by the African Development Bank (AfDB) in 2004 to address complaints made by any group of two or more people who have been harmed, or who are likely to be harmed, by a project funded by the AfDB Group. The IRM was designed to make sure that the AfDB f
Sep 27, 2017 by CHRD
Webinar: Demystifying Development Banks in Asia
On September 26, 2017, the Coalition for Human Rights in Development co-hosted a ‘Demystifying Development Banks’ webinar with a special focus on Asia, where many countries have been shown to be among the most dangerous for human rights and environmental defenders who confront infrastructure
Sep 08,2017
New Development Bank is BRICS’ best card
According to Caio Borges, Prof. Karin Costa Vazquez and Supriya Roychoudhury, if question marks on the future of BRICS are repeatedly raised, the New Development Bank (NDB) is probably the most concrete avenue through which the grouping can deepen co-operation. The NDB’s stated commitment to su
Jul 10,2017
FMO and Finnfund officially withdraw from Agua Zarca project
Two of the primary backers of the Agua Zarca hydropower dam project in Honduras have officially announced their exit from the project following years of campaigning by local indigenous groups and criticism from international civil society organizations. In a press release issued on July 6, the D
Jun 14, 2017 by members
Asian CSOs Convene Workshop on Accountability in Bangkok
Representatives from 35 civil society organizations and community groups based in 11 countries in South and Southeast Asia participated in a workshop on how individuals and communities harmed by development projects can seek recourse.
Apr 27, 2017 by members
Asian Peoples Call For an End to ADB Immunity
A number of civil society organizations in Asia, including People’s Forum Against ADB and coalition member NGO Forum on ADB have launched a call challenging the immunity of the Asian Development Bank. The organizations, along with community representatives, youth associations, and stu
Dec 08, 2016 by CHRD
Time for Development Financiers to #Standup4HumanRights
Global groups call for action to protect human rights in development Ahead of Human Rights Day, December 10th, the Coalition for Human Rights in Development joins with over 50 civil society groups around the world to call on financial institutions, governments and businesses to stand up for human
Nov 16, 2016 by CHRD
Coalition Urges Dutch Development Bank to Strengthen Human Rights Protections
The Coalition for Human Rights in Development this week called on the Dutch Development Bank FMO to strengthen its commitment to human rights and to enact strong due diligence requirements to ensure that human rights are respected within FMO-financed activities. FMO is presently revising its Su
Jun 01,2016
Honduran Social Movements Urge World Bank to Stop Fueling Human Rights Violations
Honduran social movements and indigenous peoples organizations this week called on the World Bank to in light of persistent attacks on human rights defenders, suspend financing in Honduras “until there are minimally just and realistic conditions for indigenous and small farming
May 26, 2016 by members
Civil Society Declaration at the 51st African Development Bank Annual Meetings
African civil society groups, including Coalition member Lumière Synergie pour le Développement, called on the African Development Bank this week to increase its accountability and engagement with civil society and to embrace pro-poor investment strategies that support public sector servi
Apr 05, 2016 by CHRD
4/15 Tell the World Bank to Safeguard People & the Planet!
While the World Bank’s motto is to “End Poverty” and promote sustainable development, too often Bank investments disregard the human rights and priorities of poor communities, leaving them worse off. As the World Bank prepares to host finance ministers from across the globe
Mar 30, 2016 by CHRD
Sign-on statement on IFIs, Participation, and Human Rights
In the face of rapidly shrinking civil society space and growing attacks on human rights and environmental defenders, sign this statement (English, French, Spanish, Arabic) on the Responsibility of International Financial Institutions to Ensure Meaningful and Effective Participation and
Mar 29,2016
South Africa civil society critizes NDB for lack of transparency and social and environmental standards
With the BRICS New Development Bank set to open its regional office in Johannesburg and approve its first set of projects for financing in the next weeks, South African civil society groups raise concerns about lack of transparency or consultation with potentially affected communities. The NDB h
Mar 09, 2016 by CHRD
Tell Deadly Dam Builders that Enough is Enough!
Follow this action alert to tell FMO, Finnfund, CABEI, Voith and Siemens to immediately pull out of the Agua Zarca Dam and to not get involved in any other projects on the land of the indigenous Lenca people. intlrv.rs/StopAguaZarca.
Feb 25, 2016 by members
African CSO’s urge AfDB to strengthen civil society engagement
Fourty-eight African civil society organizations sent a letter to the president of the African Development Bank (AfDB) last week calling for more space for civil society engagement and a reform of the Civil Society Organization (CSO) Forum. The groups expressed concern over shortcomings in t
Feb 15,2016
Civil Society calls for human rights protections in World Bank activities
The World Bank consultation on proposed new social and environmental new safeguards will end one month from today. The Bretton Woods Observer reports how civil society organizations around the world have been calling on the Bank to adopt a strong framework for the protection of human rights.
Nov 30, 2015 by members
Groups Call on BRICS Bank to Engage with Civil Society
November 30, 2015: On the heels of the meeting of governors of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB), civil society organizations from BRICS countries and countries that will likely be impacted by NDB projects called on the Bank to open a transparent and participative process for the development of
Oct 13, 2015 by CHRD
For World Bank, Ignorance is Bliss
The World Bank doesn’t require that its projects respect human rights, and has thus far refused to adopt such a requirement. Máxima Acuña de Chaupe and Elmer Campos travelled far from their families in rural Peru to attend the Annual Meeting of the World Bank, taking place in the capital city of Lima.
Jun 19,2015
New Story: Refugees of Development
In 1999 residents of Hade, Kosovo were forced from their homes by Serbian commandos.They were able to return some time later and have been working tirelessly since then to rebuild their village and return to normal life. Now, they are being threatened to leave again, but this time the threat is comin
Jun 15,2015
UN Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights argues that Human Rights are critical in addressing Inequality
UN Special Rapporteur finds that human rights are being entirely left out of the debate around extreme poverty and extreme inequality, even though the human rights framework is imperative in resolving these issues. The report criticizes the World Bank, IMF and UN for failing to follow up on any rec
Jun 15,2015
UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Assembly and Association 2015
A report by the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of assembly and association discusses the importance of freedom of speech within natural resource extraction projects. Concludes the following: rights of freedom of peaceful assembly and association are essential to fair work on extraction of na
Jan 31,2015
An Open Letter from Anuak Ethiopian Refugees to the World Bank President
Dr. Jim Yong Kim, President, World Bank January 30, 2015 Dear Mr. President, We are the Requesters, Anuak refugees and asylum seekers based in Kenya (Dadaab, Kakuma and Nairobi) and South Sudan (Gorom), who submitted a complaint to the World Bank Inspection Panel in September 2012. We have written
Dec 15, 2014 by members
Human Rights Day Action Alert
In honor of the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Center for International Environmental Law is sending a message to World Bank President Kim, urging the Bank to respect and protect human rights in its lending. Will you join us? Please take a minute to sig