May 23, 2023 by CHRD

Joint statement: AfDB should open spaces for civil society and communities, during the Annual Meetings and beyond.

Over 45 African and international organizations call on the AfDB to open spaces for civil society and communities during the Annual Meetings and beyond.

Feb 20, 2023 by CHRD

Open Letter From Civil Society Organizations to IDB President Ilan Goldfajn

More than twenty organizations from Latin America and the United States addressed a letter to the president of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Ilan Goldfajn. They ask that the Bank strengthens its work by ensuring respect for human rights and the protection of the environment and by cre

Nov 07, 2022 by CHRD

Open Letter From Civil Society Group Regarding the Election Process of the Future President of the IDB

A group of civil society organizations from several countries in the region, partners and allies of the Coalition for Human Rights in Development, addressed an open letter to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) regarding the current selection process for the Bank’s presidency. Th

Sep 09, 2022 by CHRD

The power of collective struggles – newsletter september 2022

Welcome to the first edition of the Coalition's quarterly newsletter!

Jun 08, 2022 by CHRD

CSOs response to the World Bank consultation on the proposal for a Financial Intermediary Fund for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response

Thirty-three organisations from around the world have signed a statement arguing that the World Bank has not learnt crucial lessons from the Covid-19 pandemic and broader health financing evidence. Download the statement here In May, the World Bank (WB), in collaboration with the World Health O

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).

Oct 18, 2021 by members

Development banks have no business financing agribusiness

On October 18, ahead of the second edition of the Finance in Common (FIC) summit, over 280 civil society organizations and grassroots groups – including many members and allies of the Coalition for Human Rights in Development – have signed a letter calling on public development banks

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

Nov 18, 2020 by CHRD

Coalition members and partners submit new recommendations for the AIIB ESF Review

On November 9, the Coalition for Human Right in Development members and partners (Accountability Counsel; Arabwatch Coalition; Buliisa Initiative for Rural Development Organization; Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies; Center for Financial Accountability; Earthrights Internation

Jun 26, 2020 by CHRD

The Pandemic’s Hidden Casualty: Human Rights

The lush forests of the Sierra Madre mountain range, on the Philippine island of Luzon, have been home to the Dumagat-Remontados indigenous peoples for centuries. But their ancestral lands are now under threat. In this area, the Philippine government is planning to build the Kaliwa Dam, despite

Jan 29, 2020 by members

New Report: Frontline Defenders Global Analysis 2019

Coalition member Frontline Defenders released its Global Analysis 2019,  a report reviewing the state of the world for human rights defenders in 2019.  The report details the physical assaults, defamation campaigns, digital security threats, judicial harassment, and gendered attacks faced

Jun 04, 2019 by CHRD

PRESS RELEASE: New Report Reveals Uncalculated Risks to Defenders in Development

From Colombia to Kenya, 25 cases of threats and attacks against human rights defenders reveal how development financiers can fuel abuses or help fight them JUNE 4, 2019 – A new report from the Coalition for Human Rights in Development and the Defenders in Development Campaign reveals the ala

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

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 06, 2018 by CHRD

Join the Defenders in Development Campaign!

Around the world, as megaprojects and investments are imposed on communities without their consent or consultation, those working to protect their lands and resources, fight corruption, and defend human rights are under increasing attack.   For this reason, the Coalition for Human Rights in

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

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.

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

Jan 03, 2018 by CHRD

Joint Submission on WB’s Draft Guidance Notes

On December 22nd, the Coalition together with 30 organizations sent to the World Bank a joint submission with recommendations on the Bank’s Draft Guidance Notes for borrowing countries regarding how to implement the Bank’s new Environmental and Social Framework. The submission address

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

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

Mar 08, 2017 by CHRD

Impact Report 2016

Read the full report: English | Spanish | French Partnering with Communities to Defend Human Rights In 2016 the Coalition engaged in partnerships with communities around the world to connect community struggles with strategic resources and campaign support and to bring community expertis

Feb 14, 2017 by CHRD

Organizations call on the World Bank to Protect Indigenous Rights

This week 32 organizations called on the World Bank Board of Directors to urge them to ensure that the Bank takes all measures necessary to remedy harm caused to four Maasai villages displaced to make way for the Olkaria IV geothermal project in Kenya. The Kenya Electricity Expansion Project (KEEP)

Jan 24, 2017 by members

Concerns Raised Over the Tanahu Hydropower Project’s Impact on Local Communities

Communities affected by the Tanahu Hydropower Project, which includes damming the Seti river in Nepal, recently submitted a 26-point memorandum to Nepal’s Energy Minister, stressing concerns regarding the project’s impacts on their traditional lands and livelihoods and failure to co

Jan 19, 2017 by members

River Defender Activist Murdered in Guatemala

Another anti-dam activist has been murdered in Latin America. On Tuesday, January 17, protestors led a peaceful demonstration against a hydroelectric plant in Guatemala. But the event ended in death after paramilitaries shot and killed 72-year-old activist Sebastian Alonso. The march had ori

Dec 02, 2016 by members

Groups call on OPIC to strengthen human rights due diligence

This month, 18 human rights and environmental organizations called on the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the United States’ development finance institution, to strengthen its human rights due diligence. OPIC is presently revising its social and environmental polic

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

Aug 08, 2016 by CHRD

Civil society groups to hold WB accountable for human rights outcomes

On Thursday, the World Bank approved a new Environmental and Social Framework to replace its existing safeguard policies. Members of the Coalition for Human Rights in Development criticized the missed opportunity to adopt robust protections for the human rights of communities impacted by Bank

Jul 27,2016

UN Expert: it’s time for development banks to start listening

In an opinion piece in Foreign Policy magazine, Maina Kiai, UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, explains how the goal of sustainable development is under threat from growing restrictions on public participation in development and closing civ

Jul 25, 2016 by members

SCOs from the Global South send letter to WB EDs rejecting the new safeguards framework

After a four year review process of the Environmental and Social Safeguards Policies of the World Bank, the World Bank Board approved the third, and probably final, draft of the new Environmental and Social Framework of the Bank. Last July 19, more than 50 organizations from 20 countries from the Gl

Jul 12, 2016 by members

Uzbekistan: Forced Labor Linked to World Bank Corporate Loan

Coalition member Human Rights Watch reports that three human rights defenders have lodged a formal complaint against the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) regarding forced labor in the Uzbek cotton industry. The complaint demands an investigation of forced labor l

Jun 23,2016

World Bank Allows Tanzania To Sidestep Rule Protecting Indigenous Groups

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists recently reported that the World Bank has chosen to waive their policy protections for indigenous peoples in a Tanzania investment project, despite serious impacts on indigenous peoples in the project area. The Southern Agricultura

Jun 21,2016

Al-Haq calls on World Bank to strengthen protection in conflict-affected areas

On June 16th, the Palestinian human rights organization, Al-Haq, urged the World Bank to explicitly address the need for human rights safeguards for investments in conflict-affected areas during the Bank’s ongoing safeguard policy reform process. The Bank has announced plans to increase inve

Jun 02, 2016 by members

Financial Crisis at Inter-American Commission

Coalition member ESCR-Net is calling on leaders of OAS member states to address the financial crisis currently hindering the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights’ ability to operate as a key regional human rights mechanism. The crisis has already caused the IACHR to suspend its 159th and 16

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 27, 2016 by members

AIDESEP insists IDB land titling programme must be suspended

Peruvian indigenous peoples association AIDESEP federation is calling on the Inter-American Development Bank to suspend land titling program which threatens to undermine indigenous land rights. The group has a complaint pending with the IDB’s independent accountability mechanism.

May 22,2016

UN Indigenous Peoples Experts Challenge World Bank

May 20, 2016 – The UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and other top UN indigenous peoples experts sent a letter Friday to World Bank President Jim Kim and the Bank’s executive directors, challenging a proposal that would weaken protections for indigenou

May 11, 2016 by members

Securing Forest Peoples Rights in DRC

Coalition member Forest Peoples Programme has released a report on the impacts of deforestation and forest degradation on indigenous and local communities in the DRC, highlighting the human rights violations and socio-environmental impacts often caused by these activities. The report also c

May 04, 2016 by members

Indigenous Peoples in Crosshairs of Development

Peter Bosshard, interim ED of Coalition member International Rivers, explains how indigenous communities are particularly at risk of landgrabbing and face increasing repression, even death when standing up for their rights. Read the article here.

Apr 25,2016

First BRICS bank loans spark debate over environmental protection

NDB project funding has been the subject of intrigue and concern among civil society organizations (CSOs) since the bank’s formal launch in Fortaleza, Brazil, in 2014. Yet news of these first ‘green’ loans has done little to ease their fears. The problem, CSOs say, is that since the NDB still lacks a

Apr 12, 2016 by members

Civil society groups express great concern over BRICS Bank

As government ministers from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa gather in Washington, DC for the third board of governors meeting of the BRICS New Development Bank (NDB) April 13 and 14, civil society groups in BRICS countries appealed to their governments and NDB management to operate

Apr 04,2016

Central American Bank pulls out of Honduran dam

In a victory for indigenous and human rights activists, the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE) announced Friday the suspension of its financing of the Agua Zarca Dam. The Honduras dam project has been a focal point for international attention following the killing of h

Mar 16, 2016 by CHRD

Coalition urges World Bank to meaningfully address human rights

The Coalition for Human Rights in Development submitted recommendations today urging the World Bank to amend its proposed Environmental and Social Framework to meaningfully address human rights. The submission addresses arguments that have been put forward against embracing human rights an

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.

Mar 05, 2016 by CHRD

Statement on Assassination of Indigenous Defender Berta Cáceres

The Coalition for Human Rights in Development expresses our deep sadness and outrage at the assassination this week of indigenous leader and environmental activist Berta Cáceres. Berta was the coordinator and co-founder of the Council of Indigenous Peoples of Honduras, COPINH. She fought to d

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.

Feb 06, 2016 by CHRD

World Bank safeguard consultations end March 15

The final consultation period for the World Bank’s revision of its social and environmental safeguard policies will end on March 15th, 2016. Comments on the proposed draft safeguards framework can be submitted until that date to safeguardconsult@worldbank.org. You can find more inform

Dec 17, 2015 by members

Nigerian Groups Demand Human Rights at World Bank

December 17, 2015 – Nigerian civil society organizations met in Abuja, FCT, Nigeria as the World Bank consults with the Nigerian government regarding a large-scale revision of the Bank’s social and environmental safeguard policies. The groups called on the Bank to adopt strong req

Dec 08, 2015 by members

Latin American Civil Society Presses Governments on Human Rights at World Bank

Over 180 civil society organizations from Latin America and the Caribbean call on their governments to prevent a weakening of human rights and development standards at the World Bank. The World Bank is presently holding consultations with its member State governments on a proposed revision of it

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 12, 2015 by members

New Video about World Bank

Bank Information Center releases new informational video on the World Bank safeguards review. It is under 5 minutes long and meant to foster a general understanding of the review and its significance, and motivate people to send a note to their World Bank Director asking for the strongest possible

Jun 05, 2015 by CHRD

Civil society groups to World Bank: Ensure meaningful consultation on new policies

Civil society groups around the globe call on the World Bank to hold robust in-country consultations on its proposed new safeguard policies. Read the letter here.

May 04, 2015 by members

Letter from NGO Forum on ADB on AIIB Safeguard Standards

24 April 2015 MR. JIN LIQUN Secretary – General Multilateral Interim Secretariat Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Re: Letter of Introduction from NGO Forum on ADB on AIIB Safeguard Standards Dear Mr. Jin Liqun: We are writing to you on behalf of a network of 250 civil society organizati

May 04, 2015 by members

NGO Forum Calls on AIIB to Have Robust Safeguard Standards

For Immediate Release May 1, 2015  With 57 nations already on board the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) as prospective founders, a 250-member strong civil society network made an appeal to the newly-formed bank to adopt robust safeguards in its principles, policies and operations.

Apr 14, 2015 by CHRD

World Bank Driving Hazardous Development

International Coalition Warns: World Bank Driving Hazardous Development WHAT:           Demonstration – Civil society groups encircle the World Bank in “Caution” tape, demanding strong human rights safeguards WHEN:           Friday April 17, 10:00 – 11:30am

Mar 30, 2015 by CHRD

BHRC Submits Proposals to World Bank

March 30, 2015-  The Bank on Human Rights Coalition issued the following submission to the staff and Directors of the World Bank as part of the Bank’s ongoing safeguards review: Key Human Rights Concerns and Recommendations regarding the World Bank’s Proposed Social and Environmen

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 16,2014

UN Experts Express Concerns over Proposed Safeguards

28 UN Experts sent a letter to World Bank President Jim Kim, to express their concerns regarding the Bank’s proposed new social and environmental safeguards. The letter criticizes the Bank for avoiding meaningful incorporation of human rights protections. Read the letter here.

Nov 25, 2014 by CHRD

Statement on Obstacles to Participation in World Bank Safeguards Consultations

This letter, signed by 50 organizations, was sent today to World Bank President Jim Kim and Executive Directors detailing lack of notice and restrictive access to participation in ongoing safeguards consultations. Thanks to all who contributed to the letter and signed on. Please help distribut

Oct 16, 2014 by CHRD

The Annual Meetings: A Week in Review

From October 10–12, 2014 the World Bank and International Monetary Fund held their joint Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C. Scores of activists, community leaders and civil society organisations from across the world participated in meetings, panels and actions to affirm the importance of st

Oct 11, 2014 by CHRD

World Bank Annual Press Release

For Immediate Release World Bank Group: Proposed Policy a Setback for Rights Development Cannot Succeed if it Harms Communities (October 10, 2014 Washington, DC) – Draft World Bank policies under consideration at the bank’s meeting on October 10-12, 2014 would dangerously roll back protection

Sep 29,2014

World Bank Accuses itself of Failing to Protect Kenya Forest Dwellers

From the Guardian, published on Monday 29 September 2014 09.36 EDT. World Bank accuses itself of failing to protect Kenya forest dwellers Leaked document says World Bank violated its own safeguards in dealings with Sengwer people evicted from their lands A leaked copy of a World Bank investigatio

Aug 01,2014

World Bank denies safeguards compromised

By Narayan Lakshman The World Bank hit back at a wide coalition of NGOs on Wednesday saying that it was in fact broadening environmental and community safeguards. Fending off allegations that it was “watering down” environmental and community safeguards for its lending activities and possibl

Jul 30,2014

World Bank rolling back safeguards

The following is an excerpt from an article published in the Hindu on July 30th, 2014. World Bank rolling back safeguards: Leaked report By Narayan Lakshman The World Bank may be on the verge of rolling back a wide range of in-built environmental and community protections surrounding its developm

Jul 28, 2014 by CHRD

Statement to World Bank Directors

World Bank Safeguard Draft Rolls-Back Protections for People and the Environment  Key Human Rights Concerns The World Bank has repeatedly committed to producing a new safeguard framework that results in no-dilution of the existing safeguards and which reflects prevailing international sta

May 21, 2014 by CHRD

Letter to World Bank

As the World Bank prepares to release a first draft of its new safeguard policies, Bank on Human Rights members sent a letter to Bank President Jim Kim, calling for a policy framework that ensures that development projects respect communities’ human rights. Letter to World Bank Carta al Banc