The World Bank and human rights 2015, para. 76

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The Bank needs to remove the roadblock that has been erected by its anachronistic, artificial and unjustifiable interpretation of the political prohibition contained in its Articles of Agreement. Admittedly, it is conceivable that the Bank might be tempted to pursue some issues using prohibited political approaches and would need to guard against them. However, positive measures designed to promote respect for obligations based on human rights treaties that are binding upon borrowing States would generally not cross such a line. Of course, much will depend on how the issue is approached, but a blanket prohibition on any such action as being political is wholly unwarranted. Just as the phrase "economic considerations" has been interpreted to accommodate Bank measures to combat corruption and to promote the rule of law and criminal justice reform, so too can the phrase accommodate a policy which takes account of the economic consequences of ignoring or violating human rights in a given project.
Legal status
Non-negotiated soft law
Body
Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights
Document type
Special Procedures' report
Means of adoption
N.A.
Topic(s)
  • Economic Rights
  • Governance & Rule of Law
Person(s) affected
  • N.A.
Year
2015
Paragraph type
Conclusion / Recommendation
Paragraph info
Conclusion / Recommendation
Paragraph number
76