Indigenous Peoples call on new World Bank President to strengthen safeguards to protect their rights

While the newly appointed World Bank President takes office, at Rio+20 98 indigenous peoples’ organisations and 48 NGOs released an open letter to Jin Yong Kim to express frustration and concern with the ongoing review of the safeguard policies and the progressive dilution of and lack of implementation of commitments to respect indigenous peoples’ rights.

Among the key causes for concern are: the lack of a proper rights-based approach, consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and other international human rights obligations and instruments, and the lack of support of FPIC and of the recommendations of the World Commission on Dams and Extractive Industries Review. In the letter, indigenous peoples call on the Bank to establish an Indigenous Peoples Advisory Council, a focal point on indigenous issues, and to ensure financial support for indigenous peoples’ capacity building.

The full text of the letter, also endorsed by FPP, can be found at: http://www.forestpeoples.org/topics/safeguard-accountablility-issues/publication/2012/indigenous-peoples-letter-incoming-presiden