Monday, April 27, 2020

China Builds Dam in Guinea that Raises Displacement Issues

Human Rights Watch published in April 2020 a report titled "'We're Leaving Everything Behind': The Impact of Guinea's Souapiti Dam on Displaced Communities."

China International Water & Electric Corporation is constructing Guinea's 450 megawatt Souapiti dam, which it will then jointly own and operate with the Guinean government. It is part of China's Belt and Road Initiative. The report documents the problems construction of the dam has caused for displaced residents' access to land, food, and livelihoods. Human Rights Watch concludes the flawed resettlement process is evidence of the need for Chinese companies, banks, and regulators to ensure that BRI projects and other Chinese overseas investments respect human rights.