Worldwise protests for World Bank’s 60th anniversary

WASHINGTON (USA) /LIMA (PERU) July 22, 2004 – Today, while protestors gather at the World Bank’s headquarters in Washington , around a 1000 people are marching the streets of Jakarta . In the meanwhile, indigenous communities launch a protest in Bolivia ‘s infamous mining city of Potosi , and London activists are handing out wake up coffee to their minister who provides money to the World Bank. Indigenous peoples in Geneva and Lima simultaneously hand in statements to World Bank delegations. Activists around the world mark today the 60th Anniversary of the World Bank. Miguel Palacín, coordinator of mine affected communities in Peru said: “In many oil and mining regions, poverty increases. There is no need for the World Bank to continue to support this misery.”
“We are protesting at six decades of the Bank’s failed policies, misguided loans, increasing debt, and investment in dubious development projects” said in Jakarta Longgena Ginting, director of WALHI/ Friends of the Earth Indonesia [1].

The anniversary falls in the run up to a crucial August 3 decision by
the World Bank on the implementation of the Extractive Industries Review [2]. The review, carried out at the request of the World Bank itself, looked at oil and mining operations, which have led to conflict and impoverishment throughout the world. It recommends that local and indigenous communities be asked for their consent to oil and mining projects before the Bank provides funding. It furthermore proposes an end to Bank support for investments in oil and coal projects and condition its loans to respect for and compliance with human rights norms.
The Bank’s management’s initial response to the review suggested it is unwilling to implement these recommendations. “The Bank may continue to invest billions of dollars in the oil, gas and mining even when its own review concludes it does not help reduce poverty. How much longer should this continue?” said Henry Tito of the NGO CEADES in Bolivia .

Janneke Bruil of Friends of the Earth International said:
“After sixty years, it’s time that the World Bank wakes up. A positive decision on implementing the Extractive Industries Review could be a crucial first step. This would be a much needed birthday treat from the Bank to the world.” Established in 1944, the World Bank was set up to make loans and guarantee credit to its 184 member countries. Its mission is the alleviation of poverty. But the Bank’s interpretation of poverty alleviation has been questioned, with major investments made in projects which have had a detrimental effect on local communities, and damaged the local and global environment. Protests are planned for July 22 in cities around the world including Jakarta , London , Potosí, Geneva , Lima and Washington .

For more information contact:

*In the Americas call
in Washington D.C. : Soren Ambrose (50 Years is Enough Network): +1-202-285-5836
in Lima , Peru : Ruperto Cáceda (CONACAMI): +51-265-3860
in Potosí, Bolivia: Henry Tito (CEADES): +591-2-6228176
*In Europe call
in Amsterdam , NL: Janneke Bruil (Friends of the Earth): +31-652118998
in London , UK : Hannah Ellis (Friends of the Earth) +44-2075661601 +44-7952876929

*In Asia call
in Jakarta, Indonesia: Longgena Ginting (WALHI/Friends of the Earth Indonesia): +62 811 92 70 38

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

[1] Environmental, development and human rights campaigners will all
join in a global non-violent day of action ‘j-22’ which takes place around the world including Jakarta, London, Potosí, Geneva and Washington. For more information see https://www.foei.org/ifi/j22.html

[2] For more information on the EIR, view www.eireview.org and www.eireview.info