PHM-Exch> [Press Release] Despite Covid-19 limitations civil society drives momentum for the historic UN Treaty on Transnational Corporations and Human Rights

Tue Nov 3 19:47:28 PST 2020

Please find the press release issued today with the final assessment of the
week of negotiations in Geneva last week for a Binding Treaty on
Transnational Corporations and Human Rights.

*Available online here: Despite Covid-19 limitations civil society drives
momentum for the historic UN Treaty on Transnational Corporations and Human
Rights.
<https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/despite-covid-19-limitations-civil-society-drives-momentum-for-the-historic-un-treaty-on-transnational-corporations-and-human-rights/>*

*Suggestions for dissemination.*

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*PRESS RELEASE*
*DESPITE COVID-19 LIMITATIONS CIVIL SOCIETY DRIVES MOMENTUM FOR THE
HISTORIC UN TREATY ON TRANSNATIONALS AND HUMAN RIGHTS*

*3 November, Geneva*

 The sixth round of negotiations of the United Nations (UN) Open Ended
Inter-governmental Working Group (OEIGWG) mandated to elaborate a legally
binding instrument on “transnational corporations and other business
enterprises with respect to human rights”,1
<https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/despite-covid-19-limitations-civil-society-drives-momentum-for-the-historic-un-treaty-on-transnational-corporations-and-human-rights/#sdfootnote1sym>
took place in Geneva from 26 -30 October 2020.

 The continued presence each year since 2015 – the start of this process –
of hundreds of representatives from affected communities, civil society
organisations, trade unions and social movements makes it one of the most
strongly supported in the history of the OEIGWG. This year, however, due to
COVID19 restrictions, physical presence in Geneva was limited.

 The Global Campaign to Reclaim Peoples Sovereignty, Dismantle Corporate
Power and Stop Impunity (Global Campaign)2
<https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/despite-covid-19-limitations-civil-society-drives-momentum-for-the-historic-un-treaty-on-transnational-corporations-and-human-rights/#sdfootnote2sym>
contributed as ever with substantial and concrete proposals to the
negotiated text, both from Geneva and via the UN online tools.

 Earlier in September, the Global Campaign forewarned that the global
corona virus pandemic, meant suitable conditions for a negotiation session
and for ensuring its inclusiveness and participatory character were not
possible. Although remote participation was enabled through various online
platforms by the UN, repeated technical problems hampered remote
intervention in the negotiations. The Global campaign’s statement on the
last day of the negotiations confirmed that its “original assessment was
correct, as the difficulties that everyone encountered in this sixth
session resulted in a less than ideal process. We recall that this process
should be an inter-governmental negotiation, with ample space for civil
society participation according to ECOSOC rules.”

 A number of states once again showed their commitment to the process and
supported an ambitious Binding Treaty that respects resolution 26/9 and the
focus on regulating transnational corporations, such as South Africa, Cuba,
Egypt, Azerbaijan and Namibia.

 This contrasts with countries whose economies rely heavily on
transnational corporations with overseas operations who have always opposed
this UN process, such as the United States, Japan, Canada and Australia, as
well as the US Chamber of Commerce and the International Organisation of
Employers – both of which hold consultative status at the UN.

 As in previous negotiation rounds, the European Union – whose member
states voted in block against resolution 26/9 – failed to contribute to the
text negotiations. In fact the EU’s presence was limited to asking
questions of clarification. This was despite 847,000 European citizens
calling for the EU’s participation in the negotiations.3
<https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/despite-covid-19-limitations-civil-society-drives-momentum-for-the-historic-un-treaty-on-transnational-corporations-and-human-rights/#sdfootnote3sym>
Mayors of European cities including Barcelona, Marseille and Strasbourg
last week called on local authorities around the world to support the UN
Binding Treaty on Transnational Corporations and Human Rights.4
<https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/despite-covid-19-limitations-civil-society-drives-momentum-for-the-historic-un-treaty-on-transnational-corporations-and-human-rights/#sdfootnote4sym>

*Lilian Galan, Member of the Uruguay Parliament and part of the Global
Interparliamentarian Network in support of the UN Binding Treaty*5
<https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/despite-covid-19-limitations-civil-society-drives-momentum-for-the-historic-un-treaty-on-transnational-corporations-and-human-rights/#sdfootnote5sym>
said:

 “We would like once again to emphasize – as the majority of States have –
the urgent need to respect the mandate of the OEIGWG established by
Resolution 26/9. The purpose of the mandate is to regulate the activities
of transnational corporations with regards to international human rights
law. This is explicit and all parties must bear that in mind.”

*Erika Mendes, from Justiça Ambiental JA! Mozambique and regional
co-coordinator of Economic Justice Resisting Neoliberalism program for
Friends of the Earth Africa*, stated:

 “Last Wednesday’s court hearing in France against oil giant Total has
shown just how important it is to improve access to justice for affected
communities, by granting jurisdiction to courts in the home countries of
transnational corporations. Yet, gathering evidence in Uganda has been an
uphill battle as community leaders and organisations face continuous
threats and harassment. In Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, Total is also leading
the gas boom that has come with increased conflict, violence, corruption,
human rights violations and social inequality. The binding treaty must go
further by reversing the burden of proof, guaranteeing communities’ right
to Free, Prior and Informed Consent, and ensuring better protection for
human rights defenders.”

*Josua Mata, from the Asia Task Force on the Legally-Binding Instrument*
(ATF):

 “We hear repeatedly that the crafting of a legally binding instrument will
take years. Some say ten years. We’d like to remind those negotiating on
our behalf that the longer they tarry, the longer our people, our land and
our planet suffer from the ravages of unscrupulous transnational
corporations!”

 In a final summary statement delivered on the last day of negotiations
negotiations the Global Campaign announced:

 “In the context of major difficulties and challenges, the Global Campaign
reaffirms its faith in this process. Despite all the challenges we face, we
have shown – through our commitment and numerous participation – that we
remain fully convinced that this legally binding instrument is needed to
bring justice to affected people and to put an end to the impunity of
transnational corporations. The process is at a critical stage, with many
threats looming on the horizon. Therefore, we provide our proposals and
opinions to restore the vitality of this historic process and renew the
commitment of delegations and civil society alike to achieving a
successful, long-lasting treaty to finally address corporate impunity.”

*NOTE TO EDITORS*

For further information or to arrange interviews please contact:

Sol Trumbo Vila, Email: soltrumbovila at tni.org

 Mónica Vargas, Email: m.vargas at tni.org

 This Press Release is issued by the Global Campaign to Reclaim Peoples
Sovereignty, Dismantle Corporate Power and Stop Impunity. A network of over
250 social movements, civil society organisations (CSOs), trade unions and
communities affected by the activities of Transnational Corporations,
representing 260 million people globally.
https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/

1
<https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/despite-covid-19-limitations-civil-society-drives-momentum-for-the-historic-un-treaty-on-transnational-corporations-and-human-rights/#sdfootnote1anc>
This mandate is a result of resolution 26/9 adopted by the Human Rights
Council in 2014. Official page:
https://www.ohchr.org/en/hrbodies/hrc/wgtranscorp/pages/igwgontnc.aspx

2
<https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/despite-covid-19-limitations-civil-society-drives-momentum-for-the-historic-un-treaty-on-transnational-corporations-and-human-rights/#sdfootnote2anc>
A network of over 250 social movements, civil society organisations (CSOs),
trade unions and communities affected by the activities of transnational
corporations (TNCs), representing 260 million people globally

3
<https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/despite-covid-19-limitations-civil-society-drives-momentum-for-the-historic-un-treaty-on-transnational-corporations-and-human-rights/#sdfootnote3anc>
https://stopisds.org/

4
<https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/despite-covid-19-limitations-civil-society-drives-momentum-for-the-historic-un-treaty-on-transnational-corporations-and-human-rights/#sdfootnote4anc>
https://bindingtreaty.org/local-authorities-in-support-to-the-un-binding-treaty/

5
<https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/despite-covid-19-limitations-civil-society-drives-momentum-for-the-historic-un-treaty-on-transnational-corporations-and-human-rights/#sdfootnote5anc>
Global Interparliamentarian Network in support of the UN Binding Treaty is
formed by more than 300 members of parliaments from all over the world.
https://bindingtreaty.org

-- 
Economic Justice, Corporate Power and Alternatives Program
Transnational Institute (TNI)soltrumbovila at tni.org
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