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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)

JPIC staff meet with Asian Development Bank August 19th, 2008

Washington DC – The Oblate JPIC staff met with Asian Development Bank (ADB) officials on August 13. Oblate JPIC Director Fr. Seamus Finn, Tomas Vyhnalek (Oblate visiting from the Czech Republic), Fr. Aaron Rosario (Bangladeshi Oblate) and George Ngolwe (JPIC staff) met with ADB Deputy Resident Director, Robert M. Schoellhammer at the ADB office in Washington.

The purpose of the meeting was to receive an update on Asian Development Bank operations in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. It was also an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges faced by the Indigenous peoples in those countries – particularly in accessing quality education – and to get a sense of the Bank’s commitment to promoting sustainable development for local communities.

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ADB pulls out of controversial coal project in Bangladesh May 8th, 2008

The Asian Development Bank has decided to withdraw a funding request for the controversial Phulbari Coal Project in Bangladesh. The ADB’s Board was slated to approve a US$100 million loan and US$200 million political risk guarantee for the project on June 3, 2008.

This comes as another major blow to the UK based company GCM Resources (formerly known as Asia Energy), which aims to establish one of the world’s largest open pit coal mines near the town of Phulbari in northwestern Bangladesh. GCM/Asia Energy was forced to shut down operations and leave the project area after a major protest of over 50,000 people in 2006. Three people died and hundreds were injured as government-backed paramilitary forces fired upon the protesters.

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