2017 greater mekong forum - session 15 - ensuring standards and safeguards for outbound hydropower...
TRANSCRIPT
Thai Outbound
Investment
By Sor.Rattanamanee Polkla
Community Resource Centre Foundation October 26, 2017
Mekong Dam
Salween Dam
Administrative Court
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
Thai Cabinet Resolution
Cabinet
Thank you
Background information of Lower Sesan 2 (LS2) dam :
Severe impacts not adequately studied in detail in EIA report:
– LS2 predicted to cause serious harm to livelihoods of over
100,000 people in 3S Rivers Basin due to fisheries and sediment
impacts (Baird report 2009)
– LS2 predicted to have wide-ranging impacts across Mekong River
Basin and Tonle Sap, including 9.3% decrease in fish biomass
across entire Mekong River Basin, affecting the livelihoods of
hundreds of thousands of further people, including in
neighbouring countries (PNASS, 2012; Piman et al, 2013)
– Vastly inadequate consultation and public participation
Joint venture between Royal Group (39%), Hydrolancang (51%)
& EVN (10%) = USD 816 Million
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People’s voices were not meaningfully considered -Grassroots’ movement took place - increased cost of the dam
Fact-finding on LS2 Asset Survey
35%
65%
28%
72%
41%
59%
14%
86%
YesChrob
No YesKbal
Romeas
No YesSre Sronok
No YesSrekor
No
% of respondents in each village who reported that they understood the survey documents and compensation plan
37%
63%
44%56%
100%
26%
74%
YesChrob
NoChrob
YesKbal
Romeas
NoKbal
Romeas
YesSre
Sronok
YesSrekor
NoSrekor
% of respondents in each village who accepted the asset survey, compensation and
resettlement plan, participated in the survey and provided their thumb print to the survey
document
20%
80%
40%
60% 61%
39%
13%
87%
YesChrob
NoChrob
YesKbal Romeas
NoKbal Romeas
YesSre Sronok
NoSre Sronok
YesSrekor
NoSrekor
% of respondents in each village who reported feelings of fear, intimidation or pressure during the asset survey
process
Concern raised get no adequate solution but threatening!
Recommendation for Chinese government and overseas investor
To comply with Chinese domestic legal frameworks at a minimum, in their overseas
investments – helps strengthen Cambodia law
Establish due diligence procedures that can identify existing problems when
entering into project agreements (eg. poor EIA process, weaknesses in country level
legal standards).
Establish corporate level mechanisms to enter into dialogue and address grievances
and complaints from local communities – planning & consultation stage to
implementation & operation
To raise awareness and build capacity of Chinese company about the Guidelines for
Environmental Protection in Overseas Investments
Strengthen the Guidelines for Environmental Protection in Overseas Investments.
Consider making the guidelines legally binding and creating a mechanism to oversee
and enforce compliance.
Adhere to the World Bank safeguard policies, IFC’s performance standards
(especially on resettlement and compensation and indigenous peoples) and
instruments such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
