PHM-Exch> Press Release - COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATIONS ALERT TO THE BLOCKING OF THE UN BINDING TREATY TO PROTECT THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS

[Claudio Schuftan]

From: Susana Barria <sbarria at phmovement.org>

More information will follow. Spanish version is also available on the
website: www.stopcorporateimpunity.org

*PRESS RELEASE*

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

*COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATIONS ALERT TO THE BLOCKING
OF THE UN BINDING TREATY TO PROTECT THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS*

Geneva, October 27 - More than 200 delegates from more than 80 countries
representing social movements, trade unions, and global civil society,(1)
including communities affected by the human rights violations of
transnational corporations are actively involved this week in the third
session of the open-ended intergovernmental working group for the
elaboration of an International Legally Binding Instrument on Transnational
Corporations (TNCs) and other Business Enterprises with respect to human
rights.(2)

The process of drawing up a binding treaty is underway due to the will of
those affected by the violations to arm themselves with an international
legal instrument to defend themselves, as well as through the
acknowledgment of several governments that a treaty is necessary to stop
the growing imbalance between human rights and the actions of TNCs.
Ninety-five countries were present at this week's talks, a remarkable
number for such an intergovernmental working group. In addition, members of
parliaments from more than 20 countries and the European Parliament,(3) as
well as more than 700 civil society organizations have indicated official
support for the process.

Pablo Fajardo, representative of the Union of People Affected by Chevron,
recalled that "the victims of corporate crimes, which occur worldwide, are
witnesses that today most violations of human rights are by transnational
corporations. The binding treaty is a real and practical tool to protect
people from the violation of their human rights. "

Tchenna Maso, from La Via Campesina, affirmed that “all governments that
oppose the creation of this instrument not only go against history, but
clearly act complicit with the violations of TNCs. We draw particular
attention to the position of the European Union which is obstructing the
process. Hiding behind a supposed internal inertia of its member States,
the EU is in fact aiming to definitively stop the process. We call on
governments from other regions to come together to resist the pressure from
the EU, and stand up for their people.”

Mary Ann Manahan, World March of Women-Philippines, stressed that “social
organizations will continue to respond to crimes against affected
communities and territories as a result of TNC activities and will continue
to mobilize for the elaboration of a draft treaty in advance of the fourth
session of the intergovernmental working group.”

Karin Nansen, chair of Friends of the Earth International said: "We look
forward to the draft text of the treaty to be presented by the
Chair-Rapporteur of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group in 2018,
and will continue to bring forward the peoples’ demand for a legally
binding treaty to achieve justice for the victims in accordance with
Resolution 26/9. Taking into account the interest expressed in several
national parliaments, such as France, Spain and Uruguay, among others, the
debate should be broadened and strengthened. Parliamentarians from other
countries must join the process."

*NOTE TO EDITORS*

(1) This Press release is from the Global Campaign to Reclaim Peoples
Sovereignty, Dismantle Corporate Power and Stop Impunity (Global Campaign),
a network of over 200 social movements and affected communities resisting
land grabs, extractive mining, exploitative wages and environmental
destruction, particularly in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Website:
https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/

(2) This mandate is a result of resolution 26/9 adopted by the Human Rights
Council in 2014.

 (3) For the list of signatories of the Interparliamentary initiative for a
UN Binding Treaty on transnational corporations with respect to human
rights see http://bindingtreaty.org/

*PRESS CONTACT*

To arrange interviews or further information

Sol Trumbo Vila (English, Spanish)

soltrumbovila at tni.org
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