<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large"><br></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><font style="font-size:11pt" face="Arial">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.</font><div text="#000000" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><div>
<p style="margin-top:0.17in;margin-bottom:0in;line-height:0.04in"><font color="#000000"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>Available online here: <a href="https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/despite-covid-19-limitations-civil-society-drives-momentum-for-the-historic-un-treaty-on-transnational-corporations-and-human-rights/" target="_blank">Despite
Covid-19 limitations civil society drives momentum for
the historic UN Treaty on Transnational Corporations and
Human Rights.</a></b></font></font></p></div><div><font style="font-size:11pt" face="Arial"><font face="Arial"><font style="font-size:11pt"><font style="font-size:11pt" face="Arial"><font style="font-size:11pt" face="Arial"><b><br></b></font></font></font></font></font></div><div><font style="font-size:11pt" face="Arial"><font face="Arial"><font style="font-size:11pt"><font style="font-size:11pt" face="Arial"><font style="font-size:11pt" face="Arial"><b>Suggestions
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</ul><b>PRESS RELEASE</b></div><div><div>
<h4><font size="+2"><b>DESPITE COVID-19 LIMITATIONS CIVIL
SOCIETY DRIVES MOMENTUM FOR THE HISTORIC UN TREATY ON
TRANSNATIONALS AND HUMAN RIGHTS</b></font></h4>
<p><b>3 November, Geneva</b></p>
<p> 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”,<a href="https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/despite-covid-19-limitations-civil-society-drives-momentum-for-the-historic-un-treaty-on-transnational-corporations-and-human-rights/#sdfootnote1sym" name="m_-914154780422348786_sdfootnote1anc" target="_blank">1</a> took place in Geneva from 26 -30
October 2020.</p>
<p> 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.</p>
<p> The Global Campaign to Reclaim Peoples Sovereignty,
Dismantle Corporate Power and Stop Impunity (Global Campaign)<a href="https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/despite-covid-19-limitations-civil-society-drives-momentum-for-the-historic-un-treaty-on-transnational-corporations-and-human-rights/#sdfootnote2sym" name="m_-914154780422348786_sdfootnote2anc" target="_blank">2</a> contributed as ever with
substantial and concrete proposals to the negotiated text,
both from Geneva and via the UN online tools.</p>
<p> 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.”</p>
<p> 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 <span lang="en-GB">South
Africa, Cuba, Egypt, Azerbaijan and Namibia</span>.</p>
<p> 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.</p>
<p> 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.<a href="https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/despite-covid-19-limitations-civil-society-drives-momentum-for-the-historic-un-treaty-on-transnational-corporations-and-human-rights/#sdfootnote3sym" name="m_-914154780422348786_sdfootnote3anc" target="_blank">3</a> 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.<a href="https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/despite-covid-19-limitations-civil-society-drives-momentum-for-the-historic-un-treaty-on-transnational-corporations-and-human-rights/#sdfootnote4sym" name="m_-914154780422348786_sdfootnote4anc" target="_blank">4</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Lilian Galan, Member of the Uruguay Parliament and
part of the Global Interparliamentarian Network in support
of the UN Binding Treaty</b><a href="https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/despite-covid-19-limitations-civil-society-drives-momentum-for-the-historic-un-treaty-on-transnational-corporations-and-human-rights/#sdfootnote5sym" name="m_-914154780422348786_sdfootnote5anc" target="_blank">5</a> said:</p>
<p> “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.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Erika Mendes, from Justiça Ambiental JA! Mozambique
and regional co-coordinator of Economic Justice Resisting
Neoliberalism program for Friends of the Earth Africa</b>,
stated:</p>
<p> “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.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>Josua Mata, from the Asia Task Force on the
Legally-Binding Instrument</b> (ATF):</p>
<p> “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!”</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p> In a final summary statement delivered on the last day of
negotiations negotiations the Global Campaign announced:</p>
<p> “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.”</p>
<p> <br>
</p>
<p> <b>NOTE TO EDITORS</b></p>
<p>For further information or to arrange interviews please
contact:</p>
<p>
Sol Trumbo Vila, Email: <a href="mailto:soltrumbovila@tni.org" target="_blank">soltrumbovila@tni.org</a></p>
<p> Mónica Vargas, Email: <a href="mailto:m.vargas@tni.org" target="_blank">m.vargas@tni.org</a></p>
<p> 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.
<a href="https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/" target="_blank">https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/</a></p>
<p> </p>
<div id="m_-914154780422348786sdfootnote1">
<p><a href="https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/despite-covid-19-limitations-civil-society-drives-momentum-for-the-historic-un-treaty-on-transnational-corporations-and-human-rights/#sdfootnote1anc" name="m_-914154780422348786_sdfootnote1sym" target="_blank">1</a> This mandate is a result of
resolution 26/9 adopted by the Human Rights Council in 2014.
Official page:
<a href="https://www.ohchr.org/en/hrbodies/hrc/wgtranscorp/pages/igwgontnc.aspx" target="_blank">https://www.ohchr.org/en/hrbodies/hrc/wgtranscorp/pages/igwgontnc.aspx</a></p>
</div>
<div id="m_-914154780422348786sdfootnote2">
<p><a href="https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/despite-covid-19-limitations-civil-society-drives-momentum-for-the-historic-un-treaty-on-transnational-corporations-and-human-rights/#sdfootnote2anc" name="m_-914154780422348786_sdfootnote2sym" target="_blank">2</a> 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</p>
</div>
<div id="m_-914154780422348786sdfootnote3">
<p><a href="https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/despite-covid-19-limitations-civil-society-drives-momentum-for-the-historic-un-treaty-on-transnational-corporations-and-human-rights/#sdfootnote3anc" name="m_-914154780422348786_sdfootnote3sym" target="_blank">3</a> <a href="https://stopisds.org/" target="_blank">https://stopisds.org/</a></p>
</div>
<div id="m_-914154780422348786sdfootnote4">
<p><a href="https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/despite-covid-19-limitations-civil-society-drives-momentum-for-the-historic-un-treaty-on-transnational-corporations-and-human-rights/#sdfootnote4anc" name="m_-914154780422348786_sdfootnote4sym" target="_blank">4</a>
<a href="https://bindingtreaty.org/local-authorities-in-support-to-the-un-binding-treaty/" target="_blank">https://bindingtreaty.org/local-authorities-in-support-to-the-un-binding-treaty/</a></p>
</div>
<div id="m_-914154780422348786sdfootnote5">
<p><a href="https://www.stopcorporateimpunity.org/despite-covid-19-limitations-civil-society-drives-momentum-for-the-historic-un-treaty-on-transnational-corporations-and-human-rights/#sdfootnote5anc" name="m_-914154780422348786_sdfootnote5sym" target="_blank">5</a> Global Interparliamentarian
Network in support of the UN Binding Treaty is formed by
more than 300 members of parliaments from all over the
world. <a href="https://bindingtreaty.org" target="_blank">https://bindingtreaty.org</a></p>
</div>
</div>
<br>
<pre cols="72">--
Economic Justice, Corporate Power and Alternatives Program
Transnational Institute (TNI)
<a href="mailto:soltrumbovila@tni.org" target="_blank">soltrumbovila@tni.org</a> <span class="gmail_default" style="font-size:large"></span><br>
</pre></div></div></div></div>