Displaced Cambodians file OECD complaint against ANZ Bank for financing massive land grab
(Phnom Penh) Inclusive Development International and Equitable Cambodia have filed a formal complaint with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) against the Australian ANZ Bank. The complaint was lodged on behalf of 681 families who were forcibly displaced and dispossessed of their land and property to make way for a sugar plantation and […]
Samoan chiefs to the Asian Development Bank: Hands off our customary land
(Apia) – A group of village chiefs filed an official complaint to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) today, objecting to a series of ADB-backed reforms that could lead to the alienation of customary land. The chiefs are gravely concerned that the reforms, which have been carried out without meaningful consultation of Samoan people, could have […]
Investigation finds IFC has a ‘don’t ask don’t tell’ policy about human rights abuses in its banking investments
An internal investigation released today finds that World Bank staff covered up a palm oil company’s role in a violent land conflict in Honduras, when proposing loans to one of Central America’s top ten banks that funded it. The investigation by the World Bank’s Office of the Compliance Advisor/Ombudsman (CAO) focused on a series of equity […]
World Bank turns Its back on rights protections for the poor, global civil society response gathers momentum
(New York, London, New Delhi) – Civil society organisations around the world are decrying a leaked draft of the World Bank’s proposed new policies to avoid harmful impacts from the development projects that it finances. Despite earlier commitments by Bank President Jim Yong Kim that the policies would not be diluted and that safeguards on […]
Dropping Cambodian sugar client does not let ANZ Bank off the hook for financing human rights abuses
(Phnom Penh) – Inclusive Development International and Equitable Cambodia expressed disappointment that ANZ Bank has cut its business ties to the Cambodian firm Phnom Penh Sugar without first ensuring redress for the grave harms caused to hundreds of families by the plantation that it financed. The Australian newspaper reported on Saturday that ANZ, through its […]
How can Australia send refugees to a country that won’t help its own displaced? by Natalie Bugalski
(The Age) – After months of cozying up to the authoritarian government of Hun Sen, Australia has finally managed to convince Cambodia to accept its refugees from Nauru and Manus Island. Never mind that Cambodia has neither the resources – nor the human rights record – to guarantee the proper resettlement of these asylum seekers. […]
UN treaty on corporate human rights abuse sees new momentum
(Washington, DC, IPS) – Some 500 global groups are calling for action by governments next month to jumpstart the process of drafting an international treaty to address rights abuses by multinational corporations, following on a related proposal by Ecuador and others. On Wednesday, a global network of civil society groups known as the Treaty Alliance called […]
Time for the Asian Development Bank to rethink displacing the poor, by David Pred
(The Cambodia Daily) – Every year millions of people around the world are forcibly displaced from their land, homes and livelihoods to make way for large-scale development projects. Most often those who are forced to sacrifice their place on Earth for both public and private interests are amongst the poorest and most vulnerable people in society. […]
ABC Special Report: ANZ faces accusations it financed business that forced villagers from land
One of Australia’s big banks is facing scrutiny it financed a Cambodian sugar business responsible for forcing almost 500 families off their land, as the conduct of Australia’s ‘big four’ in developing countries is analysed. Click here to watch the special report.
UN Human Rights Council adopts resolution welcoming Guiding Principles on Security of Tenure for the Urban Poor
(Geneva) – The UN Human Rights Council adopted, in its 25th session, a resolution on the right to adequate housing, which welcomed the Guiding Principles on Security of Tenure for the Urban Poor. The guiding Principles were presented to the Council by the Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing Raquel Rolnik in her final thematic report on […]