Bridges Across Borders Cambodia

Aid and Accountability: Safeguarding Rights in High-Risk Development Projects

On February 13th, Bridges Across Borders Cambodia will present the findings of its forthcoming report, DERAILED, A Study on the Resettlement Impacts of the Rehabilitation of the Cambodian Railway.  The Project, predominantly financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and AusAID, is restoring Cambodia's 650 kilometers of railway infrastructure.  A joint venture of the Australian firm Toll Holdings and the Cambodian firm Royal Group had secured a 30-year concession to operate the refurbished railways.  More than 4000 families living near the railway lines stand to be affected by the Project.  The report assesses the extent to which the Project's resettlement component has complied with international human rights law obligations and the ADB Policy on Involuntary Resettlement.

A presentation of the report findings will be followed by a panel discussion on resettlement rights, risks and safeguards in relation to infrastructure aid projects:

1. Why are safeguard policies important for aid projects that cause displacement?
2. What does it take to make safeguard policies effective in political and development environments characterized by human rights abuses and accountability deficits?
3. What are Australia's extra-territorial human rights obligations with respect to its overseas development assistance?
4. What are the take away lessons from the Cambodian Railways Project for AusAID and the ADB?

This event is co-hosted by Oxfam Australia and the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law.

Date:    Monday, 13 February 2012 

Time:    12:30pm to 2:00pm (Refreshments and finger food to be provided after the event from 2:00pm to 2:30pm)

Venue:  Monash University Law Chambers, 555 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

RSVP:   castan.centre@monash.edu or tel. 9905 3327

Presenters

David Pred, Executive Director, Bridges Across Borders Cambodia

Dr. Natalie Bugalski, Human Rights Lawyer, Author of DERAILED report

Eang Vuthy, Development Watch Program Manager, Bridges Across Borders Cambodia

Panelists

Dr. Adam McBeth, Deputy Director, Castan Centre for Human Rights Law, Monash University

Jessica Rosien, Advocacy Coordinator, Oxfam Australia

Matthew Hilton, Chair, Aid/Watch

Moderator

James Ensor, Policy Director, Oxfam Australia