Asian Development Bank Needs to Strengthen Policies on Rights of Indigenous Peoples

October 10th, 2008

The Oblate JPIC office has urged the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to strengthen its operational policy on the Rights of Indigenous peoples. These comments to the ADB are in response to a meeting with the ADB resident director in August, 2008.

The Missionary Oblates support and work amongst indigenous peoples’ communities in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the Philippines. Oblates believe that the economic, social, spiritual and cultural rights of indigenous people should be respected by corporations operating within their areas.

The ADB, with its high profile lending in Asia, needs to consider the following in its lending to national governments and the private sector:

• Recognize International law on the rights of Indigenous Peoples especially the 2007 U.N Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.
• Protect Indigenous Peoples’ rights to landownership and customs.
• Recognize the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to free prior and informed consent.
• Ensure access to ADB funded health and education programs.
• Avoid involuntary relocation and recognize the Right to self determination.

Oblate comments on the ADB Operational Policy on Indigenous People in Asia (Download PDF)

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