Publication: Right to Be Heard: Intimidation and Reprisals in World Bank Inspection Panel Complaints
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2023-05-02
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2023-05-02
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The World Bank Inspection Panel is committed to preventing intimidation or reprisals of any kind against anyone who submits or supports a complaint presented to it. The Panel believes that any form of reprisal threatens the integrity of the World Bank’s accountability process and that a fundamental premise of the Panel’s function is that project-affected persons (PAPs) can access it safely. The World Bank more broadly also maintains a strong commitment against reprisals. In striving to meet the level of zero tolerance of intimidation and reprisals in the context of Panel cases, the Panel and World Bank Management have promptly and consistently collaborated in responding to instances of reprisal. This advisory report delves into the Panel’s experience and practice responding to allegations of reprisals since its inception nearly 30 years ago. The Panel believes the insights presented here will be of use to development practitioners and anyone else with an interest in or need for accountability. Hence, the objectives of this report are twofold: First, to share the Panel’s experience, knowledge, practice, and the practical steps taken to date in response to reports of reprisals; and Second, this report examines how PAPs can be preemptively protected from the risk of reprisals and remain engaged in the development process.
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“World Bank. 2023. Right to Be Heard: Intimidation and Reprisals in World Bank Inspection Panel Complaints. © World Bank. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/39770 License: CC BY-NC 3.0 IGO.”
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