A/HRC/29/34
H.
Mitigating the impact of development-induced displacement
89.
Historically, development projects have been a major cause of displacement.
Important questions relating to their impact must always be asked and the principles of
informed consultation, participation and consent respected. For example, while proposed
sustainable development goal 7 calls for States to ensure access to affordable, reliable,
sustainable and modern energy services for all, the impact in terms of displacement of
communities to make way for hydroelectric and other development projects must be taken
into account. The sustainable development goals must not be achieved at the cost of forced
displacement.
90.
Development projects, including dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, highways,
urbanization, mining, and conservation of nature, can all create displacement. The
Brookings Institution report, “Risks and rights: the causes, consequences, and challenges of
development-induced displacement”,38 states that it is “problematic at best, even when a
State has the best interests of the entire population at heart. The effects can be catastrophic
when such displacement occurs in the midst of conflict and human rights abuse, or when a
State deliberately or arbitrarily targets some of its people to bear a disproportionate share of
the costs of development and denies them a proper share of the benefits”.
IV. Conclusions and recommendations
91.
IDPs must be an integral part of the post-2015 development agenda if it is to
live up to its pledge to secure a life of dignity for all and to “leave no one behind”.
Many currently proposed goals and targets have the potential to have a positive
impact on the situation of IDPs, either by helping to ensure durable solutions or by
preventing further displacement. However, their potential will only be fulfilled if IDPs
are clearly recognized as development targets, partners and beneficiaries.
92.
Resolving internal displacement is essential for peaceful and inclusive
societies for sustainable development. The post-2015 development agenda can help
States achieve durable solutions for IDPs. Equally, in countries with no displacement,
inclusive development policies address poverty, discrimination and exclusion and
prevent conflict and displacement.
93.
One element of the Secretary-General’s call for a transformative agenda
must be to transform protracted displacement situations from neglect and reliance on
humanitarian assistance to durable solutions and sustainable development.
94.
Informed by the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, the Kampala
Convention, the IASC Framework on Durable Solutions for Internally Displaced
Persons, and by his experience in dealing with situations of internal displacement
worldwide, the Special Rapporteur makes the following recommendations to:
States affected by displacement
95.
Develop national legal frameworks and policies on internal displacement,
based on international law, and specifically identify and address obstacles to durable
solutions for IDPs, including access to justice mechanisms; housing, land and property
rights; and livelihood opportunities.
38
22
Available from www.brookings.edu/fp/projects/idp/articles/didreport.pdf.
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents