A/70/274
I. Introduction1
1.
The present report on the human rights policy of the World Bank 2 is submitted
in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 26/3.
2.
In the context of a mandate dealing with extreme poverty and human rights,
the World Bank is arguably the single most important international agency. Some
might question this characterization on the grounds that the $40 billion or more that
the Bank provided to borrowing countries in 2014 represents only a fraction of total
private capital flows to developing countries from all multilateral and national
development banks, bilateral donors and private investors. However, not only is the
elimination of extreme poverty one of its two central goals, its research is more
voluminous and influential than that of its peers. It remains the key standard -setter
in many areas, its knowledge and expertise are often crucial and its seal of approval
frequently encourages the participation of other donors or investors.
3.
The Special Rapporteur begins his report by looking at how human rights are
approached within the following contexts in the work of the Bank: legal policy,
public relations, policy analysis, operations and safeguards. He then seeks to
explain the reasons for the historical aversion of the Bank to human rights, argues
that it needs a new approach and explores what difference that might make. Finally,
he reflects on what a World Bank policy on human rights might look like.
4.
The thrust of the report is that the existing approach of the Bank is incoherent,
counterproductive and unsustainable. It is based on outdated legal analysis and
shaped by deep misperceptions of what a human rights policy would require. What
is needed is a transparent dialogue designed to generate an informed and nuanced
policy that will avoid undoubted perils, while enabling the Bank and its members to
make constructive and productive use of the universally accepted human rights
framework.
II. Human rights policy of the World Bank
5.
The World Bank does not have a single comprehensive human rights policy.
Rather, it has many different and competing approaches to the issue. For analytical
purposes it can be seen to have adopted different human rights polic ies in each of
the following contexts: legal policy, public relations, policy analysis, operations and
safeguards.
A.
Legal policy
6.
The Articles of Agreement of the International Bank for
Development (IBRD) contain several provisions commonly
“political prohibition”. Most importantly, article IV, section 10
Bank and its officers shall not interfere in the political affairs
Reconstruction and
referred to as the
provides that: “The
of any member, …
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1
2
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The Special Rapporteur is grateful to Christiaan van Veen for his invaluable assistance in the
preparation of this report.
The present report focuses only on the policies of the International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development and the International Development Association, jointly referred to hereafter as the
World Bank or the Bank.
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