Call to defend the independence of Independent Accountability Mechanisms

Leading CSOs working on accountability have written to the Independent Accountability Mechanisms Network (IAMnet) as it meets in London 5 October 2023, calling for urgent attention to disturbing recent developments challenging IAM independence.

The letter, signed by Accountability Counsel, Inclusive Development International, Oxfam and Recourse among others, states, “For two decades, IAMnet has been an important convening of IAMs, providing capacity building and legitimacy to its members. As recognized by IAMnet’s name and its criteria for participating in the network, independence from the parent institution is crucial to the legitimacy and effectiveness of these mechanisms. However, recently, we have observed an alarming trend of management interference with – and even capture of – several IAMnet members that have made decisions and findings that the leadership and legal departments of their respective institutions did not like.”

The describes several alarming developments at members of the IAMNet, and recommends:

“To address these grave threats to the integrity and effectiveness of IAMs, we are calling IAMnet to:

● Reaffirm independence, both structural and operational, as a criteria for membership to the network;

● Establish a Standing Committee on the independence of IAMs, which reports regularly on the extent to which each IAMnet member meets the structural and operational criteria, as well as any specific threats to the independence of IAMnet members;

● Speak out against inappropriate interference and threats to the independence of IAMnet members by the management of parent institutions.”