Civil society joint statement on the EBRD’s draft safeguards
May 24, 2024
Despite some improvements, the latest drafts of the EBRD’s updated good governance policies fall short of ensuring that human rights are respected and protected, especially in countries with significant democratic deficits. In a joint statement, 60 civil society organisations urge the EBRD to enhance its human rights due diligence.
Civil society urges the EBRD to adopt responsible policies and reaffirm its commitment to promoting democracy
May 14, 2024
As the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) gathers for its 33rd Annual Meeting in Yerevan (1), civil society organisations have united to challenge the EBRD’s flawed policies. They highlight numerous cases where EBRD investments have had negative impacts on communities and the environment (2). CEE Bankwatch Network, a leading organisation in this effort, is also calling on the EBRD to take decisive action against the increasing repression of civil society in the countries where it operates.
More than money: New report reveals shortcomings in human rights policies of leading public development banks
May 6, 2024
As the EBRD gears up for its Annual Meeting on 14 May, the FIDH and Bankwatch release a report comparing the lending policies of four major public development banks whose loopholes are contributing to human rights violations.
More than money: Development banks must strengthen human rights safeguards
May 6, 2024
Despite environmental and social safeguards in place, projects financed by public development banks all too often violate human rights.
Georgia’s highway dilemmas and the Asian Development Bank
May 2, 2024
Despite the involvement of international partners, both the East–West Highway Improvement Project and the North–South Corridor Road Project have been marred by controversies.
Beyond Economics
April 4, 2024
Despite heavily increasing investments in green projects in recent years, the EBRD still lacks an effective system for safeguarding human …
Labor Rights Violations Persist in Uzbekistan
March 27, 2024
Cotton producer Indorama Agro silences workers speaking out against rights violations while development banks fail to ensure compliance.
International groups stand in solidarity with Armenian environmental and human rights defenders facing defamation and criminalisation
February 20, 2024
In recent months, Armenian human rights and environmental defenders and organisations have been facing defamatory attacks in local media. They are increasingly being targeted through defamation, smear campaigns, intimidation and criminalisation for their peaceful, legitimate human rights work.
Kyrgyzstan’s crackdown on civil society: Are international development banks doing enough?
February 20, 2024
Kyrgyzstan is one of the few countries in Central Asia with an active and vibrant civil society, represented by strong human right defenders and active environmental and social issue groups. Last year, however, the Kyrgyz government proposed two repressive laws on non-governmental organisations and the media, which represent a major setback for the country’s democratic future.
Devex Invested: EBRD faces heat over human rights complaints
January 30, 2024
Democracy, Human Rights & Governance …
