The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is the private sector lending arm of the World Bank. It has some of the greatest impacts on indigenous communities around the world because it funds numerous multi-national companies and private actors. The IFC is reviewing its processes in regards to Sustainability Framework, including the Policy on Social and Environmental Sustainability, Performance Standards, and the Policy of Disclosure of Information.
In late July, the Indian Law Resource Center made public its "Comments and Recommendations on the IFC's proposed Policy on Social and Environmental Sustainability and Performance Standards". The Center's recommendations point out the lack of reference to the IFC's responsibility to protect human rights. In addition, the Center addresses the rights of indigenous peoples in several areas of the policy, including Performance Standards on risk management, biodiversity, involuntary resettlement, indigenous peoples and cultural heritage.
"It's a critical time to speak out," said Leonardo Crippa, Staff Attorney with the Indian Law Resource Center's Washington, D.C. office. "The IFC is reviewing its policies and we want to see accountability and consistency in the revised documents. Our submission reflects important developments in human rights law over the past four years, including the adoption and implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by many countries around the world. We ask that the IFC take into account our comments and recommendations so that its policies and practices protect the rights of indigenous peoples.”
The Indian Law Resource Center invites you to read our Comments and Recommendations submitted to the IFC.