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)

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.

The ADB is a major donor to Bangladesh and its principal foci are energy, urban development, water and sanitation, education and transport infrastructure. The ADB is the major donor to Bangladesh for education programs, and operates through the ministry of education. Primary education has been the focus for the Bank believes better education will lead to poverty reduction and economic development for Bangladesh. ADB assistance to Sri Lanka focuses on roads, secondary education and water supply.

The ABD believes in a negotiated plan of action with the host country and makes recommendations regarding technical assistance to nations during policy development and implementation. Some of the challenges presented to the ADB by the Oblate JPIC staff included the problem of development policy that fails to recognize the presence of indigenous people in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Indigenous peoples in both countries unfortunately remain outside much of government-funded projects. Hence the ADB needs to engage not only governments but religious and civil society groups who work closely with the local communities.

On the crucial point of human rights, the ADB takes no positions – rather the organization looks at human rights as access to water, health and education. The JPIC office argues that abuses of human rights in both nations is of great concern and believes that financial donors should promote respect for human rights in order to promote broader peace and stability. The ADB does not see a role for itself in condemning human rights, but rather sees this as a choice for individual member countries.

The JPIC Office was given information on how to access the ADB draft on Indigenous people (IP) and will be told whether such an IP policy will apply to all members of the donor consortium in Asia.

NGO forum on the ADB

Asian Development Bank

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.

More…