PHM-Exch> Business and Human Rights key decision in Geneva

[Claudio Schuftan]

  From:     <david.woodward at neweconomics.org>david.woodward at neweconomics.org


>
>
> ________________________________
> From: CETIM [ <contact at cetim.ch>contact at cetim.ch]
>


> These days the Human Rights Council in Geneva is involved in a debate about
> draft “Guiding Principles” in the area of business and human rights. A
> number of human rights organizations and social movement have called upon
> the Human Rights Council NOT to accept these Principles prepared by John
> Ruggie, of Harvard University, applauded by Coca Cola and corporate lawyers
> and defended in the ongoing session by the USA, UK and other TNC home
> states.
>
> Some States like South Africa have criticized short comings of the draft
> guiding principles, and so did Algeria, Guatemala, Poland, South Africa and
> others. Some had fundamental criticisms others considered some specific
> points. This shows that there is still some room for lobby work with your
> country mission in Geneva and in particular with your government at home –
> both on the guidelines and on the content of the follow up given to the
> issue of Human Rights and TNCs by the Human Rights Council. The lobby work
> that J.Ruggie has been doing with the delegations was quite strong. He
> convinced the majority that the process was participatory and that the
> Guiding Principles would be a step ahead. The image that he transmitted to
> the national delegations is completely contrary to our own perception.
>
> We believe that it is therefore essential now that the heads of government
> now get in touch with their missions in Geneva to make sure that they follow
> up more carefully and pay attention to the criticism of civil society
> instead of defending the interests of enterprises to maintain their
> impunity. It is this impunity which allows them to draw large profits from
> their human rights abuses victimizing in particular those persons who are
> marginalized and excluded and not in a position to resist corporate power.
>
> Please send your fax, your email or make your phone call as soon as
> possible, but before June 10 - the earlier the better, there will be other
> consultations of States during the next days.
>
> CETIM - Centre Europe-Tiers Monde
>  Genève
> Suisse
> www.cetim.ch< <http://www.cetim.ch>http://www.cetim.ch>
>
>
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