Groundbreaking Litigation Against the World Bank

Today, Indian fishing communities and farmers represented by EarthRights International filed a lawsuit alleging that the International Finance Corporation (IFC) – the private lending arm of the World Bank Group – harmed their health, property and livelihoods by investing in an ultra mega coal-fired power plant.  The IFC has failed to remedy serious harm from the power plant, as documented by the its complaint office, the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO).  The IFC purports to enjoy broad immunity from lawsuits in U.S. courts, creating an accountability gap that leaves communities harmed by IFC projects reliant on the willingness of the IFC itself to provide remedy.  If successful, this lawsuit will help eliminate impunity for the IFC and other financial institutions and improve the effectiveness of internal accountability mechanisms.  Read Accountability Counsel’s joint statement with CIEL and SOMO.