related content
Joint Statement on Inspection Panel Reforms
On March 13, SOMO shared a statement on the recent reforms to the World Bank’s accountability system, together with the Bank Information Center, the Center for International Environmental Law, Inclusive Development International and Accountability Counsel….
Civil society request the UN to support the protection of the Colombian ‘páramo’
Civil society organizations, including SOMO, have sent a communique to Léo Heller, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Drinking Water and Sanitation. In it they warn that their rights are at serious risk…
US Supreme Court rules that the World Bank Group Can Be Sued
This week, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a historic decision in Jam et al. v. International Finance Corporation, ruling that the World Bank Group does not enjoy absolute immunity from suit in the United…
Experts call on US Supreme Court to reverse decision protecting IFC’s absolute immunity
On Tuesday, nine NGOs and experts filed an amicus brief before the US Supreme Court in support of the Indian fishing communities and farmers who are challenging the International Finance Corporation (IFC)’s claim to absolute…
How are things with ISDS? This week at the UN in New York.
After all the demonstrations and protests against TTIP and ISDS almost two years ago, the streets and the media have gone quiet again. After a public outrage that brought tens of thousands to the streets,…
Input for the review of the European Investment Bank’s Complaints Mechanism
A coalition of 25 organizations, including SOMO, comments on the draft Policy and Procedures for the Complaints Mechanism (CM) of the European Investment Bank (EIB). The revision of the CM is a crucial opportunity to…
World Bank divests from Eco Oro Minerals and mining project in Colombian Páramo
In an important step for the protection of Colombia’s páramos, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) – the private lending arm of the World Bank – has decided to divest from Canadian mining company Eco Oro…
Human rights must be integrated into international investment agreements
Governments should place human rights at the core of international economic agreements, by integrating human rights protections into international investment and trade agreements and to ensure that these agreements do not impair governments’ abilities to…
CAO: Complainants should be better protected
Recognising the shrinking space for civil society in many countries, the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) has expressed concern about the situation of complainants and their ability to speak up. The CAO is the independent accountability mechanism…
Glass half full?
A new report launched today documents the hurdles communities and workers face in obtaining remedy from development banks whose projects cause them harm. The 11 civil society organizations that authored the report, Glass Half Full?…