In March the Inspection Panel (IPN, the World Bank’s accountability mechanism) released its new Guidelines to reduce retaliation risks and respond to retaliation during the Panel process. In its guidelines the IPN notes that it has “experienced cases in which affected people have felt pressured during the Panel process” and that “people who come to the Inspection Panel are often poor and/or vulnerable and lack voice or influence.” The guidelines focus on risk assessment, mitigation measures, such as suspending contact with complainants, and on the Panel’s response to retaliation...

In April...the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO), the accountability mechanism for the International Finance Corporation and Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (the World Bank’s private sector arms) initiated a process of consultation on their approach to complainant protection. As part of its consultation process, the CAO released a draft document for stakeholder feedback. The public consultation period has been extended to 15 July.

The release of both documents takes place within the context of the shrinking of civil society space globally and increased violence against human rights defenders...