Description
Book SynopsisThis original and insightful book explores and examines the impact that building mega-dams has on the human rights of indigenous peoples living in surrounding areas, who are often significantly affected. It demonstrates the many ways in which human rights are violated by governments and other institutions in relation to large dam projects, and the wider effect this can have on these regions.
Compiling case studies from around the world, Itzchak Kornfeld provides clear examples of how human rights violations are perpetrated and compounded, as the construction of and flooding that results from these dams destroys livelihoods, cultural legacies and the local ecology, and promises of resettlement from governments are routinely broken. With chapters examining historical, recent and ongoing dam projects, the book also highlights the involvement of development banks and their failure to respect even their own policies in relation to issues such as environmental impact assessments.
This incisive book will be valuable to lawyers, political scientists, and other professionals working in the area of human rights, as well as academics and students. It will also be of interest to those working for government agencies, international organizations, and others involved in dam construction and similar large-scale projects.
Table of ContentsContents: Preface and Acknowledgements 1. The Twentieth Century: Dams and the Epic Struggle to Control Nature 2. America and the Age of Dams 3. A Brief Survey of Human Rights Law 4. Funding Mega-Dams: The Multilateral Banks 5. The Yacyretá Dam: Adiós to Paradise and the Destruction of Human Rights 6. Dark Lessons from the Senegal River 7. The Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP): The loss of cultural heritage 8. The Narmada Dam, India: The courage of tribals 9. Zambia’s Kariba Dam 10. The Xayaburi Dam on the Mekong River 11. The Oldman Dam, Alberta, Canada Epilogue Index
