Claimants Address World Bank Board of Executive Directors

 

For Immediate Release

 

February 3, 1998

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For Further Information, Contact Marcos Orellana or Anne Perrault

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Several claimants to the Inspection Panel from around the world gathered in Washington, DC to meet with the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors. In an unprecedented meeting between the Board and people directly affected by World Bank projects, five claimants who filed a Request for Investigation to the Inspection Panel read statements to the Board relating to their experiences with the Panel process. This meeting was arranged by the Inspection Panel to provide input into the Board's review of the Inspection Panel.

The claimants included: Eraldo Jose de Souza, Polo Sindical (Itaparica, Brazil), Pedro Arzamedia (Paraguay), Elias Diaz Pena, Sobrevivencia (Paraguay), Bikash Pandey, Alliance for Energy (Nepal), and Aurelio Vianna Jr., Rede Brasil (Brazil). Additionally, Elias Diaz Peña read a statement prepared by Madhu Kohli, a representative of the claimants from the Singrauli project, who was unable to attend the meeting.

The feedback received was very positive, and everyone was impressed with the claimants' presentations. This type of meeting provides an important illustration of bringing the voice of the grassroots directly to the Board of Executive Directors. The Panel process provides a unique opportunity to ensure that the concerns of directly affected people are heard by the Bank. As the Board continues its review of the Panel process, CIEL will be advocating for an increased role for claimants.

Statement by Madhu Kohli NTPC Power (Singrauli, India)

Statement by Elias Diaz Peña Yacyreta (Paraguay)

Statement by Eraldo Jose de Souza Itaparica (Brazil)

Statement by Bikash Pandey Arun III Hydroelectric (Nepal)

Statement by Aurelio Vianna Jr. Itaparica (Brazil)