Written evidence submitted to the House of Commons International Development Committee

The evidence draws on detailed studies by Forest Peoples Programme which reveal a systematic failure of the effectiveness of World Bank projects and policies to protect the rights and improve the livelihoods of forest peoples.

Field studies, the testimony of affected communities and World Bank documentation all show clearly that recent and ongoing World Bank projects have:

• damaged the welfare of indigenous and tribal peoples
• denied their internationally recognised rights to their lands and to their livelihoods
• failed to comply with the World Bank’s own policies and procedures