ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the existing procedures and policies at each of the five Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and how they either promote human rights or try to prevent human rights abuse. It analyzes the reforms that the MDBs have undergone in two areas: social development lending and the development and implementation of safeguard policies. The chapter detects the MDBs are ambivalently engaged with human rights. Rhetorically, the banks have expressed some support for human rights, especially social, economic, and cultural rights. However, this support is almost exclusively couched in terms of promoting rights that will in turn lead to greater economic growth and development. The chapter analyzes how the MDBs seek to promote and protect human rights by focusing on their social development lending and their safeguards policies. The World Bank's approach to human rights will serve as a focal point for the Regional Development Banks (RDBs) to see how they rate on human rights issues compared with each other.
