Representatives of the Alliance against World Bank Immunity, an affiliation of at least 25 national and local NGOs, have expressed their concern over a draft bill named The International Financial Organisation (Amendment) Bill 2004, and said the government has initiated the bill to amend The International Financial Organisation Order 1972.

They called upon the government not to enact any law that may allow the WB or any of its auxiliary bodies immunity from legal proceedings as such immunity would go against the people's fundamental right to seek redress to any damage caused either to themselves or to the country.

"It's unprecedented to make laws beyond the purview of the Articles of Agreement which entitle the WB staffs to various privileges, as no member countries have so far given the bank immunity from legal proceedings," said Aurup Rahi, one of the representatives, while reading out a written statement.

As the WB is a public organisation and not a private one, any aggrieved person or agency must have the right to sue it in case any of its acts inflicts damage, it added.

The statement said the WB sought such immunity following a case filed by its former official Ismat Zerin Khan when she was sacked from the job.

"As the bank, through its worldwide experience, has realised that its activities are harmful for the people in many cases, it now seeks immunity from legal proceedings," said Farida Akhter of Ubinig.

Alliance Coordinator Aminur Rasul and Executive Director of Voices for International Choice and Empowerment Ahmed Swapan Mahmud were present at the press conference.