3 September 1999  VIA EMAIL

Maninder S. Gil

Involuntary Resettlement Thematic Group

The World Bank

Washington, DC

Dear Maninder:

This week, the Bank posted on the WEB translations into Portuguese, Spanish, and Bangla of its draft Involuntary Resettlement OP 4.12. This policy sets the international standard defining the rights of people who will be involuntarily resettled and the obligations of financiers and project owners to them. As such, the draft policy is a key human rights document to the estimated 10 million people forcefully resettled each year.

The Bank has not yet released its translations into French, Chinese, and Russian. The International Standards Committee and the Development Policy Kiosk are most concerned that people in developing countries, who are most likely to be affected by these policies, are given an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY to join in the public commentary. Not having a copy in their language tilts the playing field and limits their informed participation.

The English version was released on 9 July 1999 with a 12 week commentary period (due is 30 September 1999). It is fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory to set a new deadline 12 weeks from the date that the translations of the resettlement policy set (OP 4.12/Annex 4.12 and BP 4.12) are finally released.

This request and your response is being posted on the Development Policy Kiosk at www.policykiosk.com.

Civil society awaits a just decision.

Theodore E. Downing

Chair, International Standards Committee, Society for Applied Anthropology

Founder and facilitator of The Development Policy Kiosk www.policykiosk.com

See Gil's reply