CIEL Commends IFC’s Official Statement of Zero Tolerance for Retaliation Against Civil Society and Project Stakeholders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 2018

Carla García Zendejas, Senior Attorney and Program Director at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), released the following statement:

We welcome the IFC’s official, public position of zero tolerance for retaliation against those who voice their opinion about IFC projects, and its recognition that the private sector has a responsibility to respect human rights.

“IFC does not tolerate any action by an IFC client that amounts to retaliation — including threats, intimidation, harassment, or violence — against those who voice their opinion regarding the activities of IFC or our clients.”

CIEL has engaged with the International Finance Corporation — the private sector lending arm of the World Bank Group — for many years. Together with our partners we have highlighted the activities of the IFC’s clients in country and the IFC’s crucial role in enforcing the human rights considerations included in its policies. As we continue to witness some of the highest levels of violence and harassment against human rights and environmental defenders throughout the world, including as it relates to development finance projects generally and IFC projects specifically, we welcome the IFC’s commitment to create protocols and guidance that can lead to a change in IFC operations.

CIEL commends the IFC’s acknowledgment of the importance of integrating concerns for potential acts of retaliation into contextual risk screening procedures as a crucial part of any decision-making with regard to project finance. Assessing the risks of retaliation at project screening is critical, as understanding the context and risk of retaliation in a project area can help prevent retaliation and harassment before it occurs.

We also recognize that the IFC can impact other public and private financial institutions with the adoption of its policies. Therefore, we urge the IFC to compel its clients and co-financing partners to take steps to acknowledge and act upon this new statement and to also commit to having zero tolerance for retaliation so that communities throughout the world can raise concerns and voice opposition without fear.

For almost 30 years, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) has monitored the activities and operations of the World Bank Group throughout the world. We have pushed for the creation of independent accountability mechanisms and advocated to strengthen the policies within the institution. We have also worked to support communities engaging in development finance decisions that may affect their lives and livelihoods and accompanied them in submitting complaints when harm has occurred or is likely to occur. This is critical so that they may have their voices heard and their opinions matter when it comes to projects that affect their human rights and environment.

Notes for Editors: