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Article

20 Oct 2025

80 civil society organisations, including FORUM-ASIA

Legally Binding Instrument on Business and Human Rights must prioritize victims, communities, and human rights defenders

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Ahead of negotiations for the Legally Binding Instrument on Business and Human Rights, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) alongside the undersigned organizations urge states to ensure that the said treaty serves to protect human rights for all, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized.

The Legally Binding Instrument (LBI) represents a historic opportunity to establish binding international legal frameworks. We reiterate the need to strengthen its language to prioritize both people and the planet over corporate interests...

Likewise, the LBI shall hold states and business enterprises accountable for abuses and violations...

The LBI must prioritize the rights and protection of victims and affected communities as its primary objective. 

Article 4 of the LBI—which outlines the rights of victims—must remain distinct from other provisions. The  corresponding duties of states and corporations, under Article 5 (Protection of victims) and 6 (Prevention), must respect and protect the rights of victims as well.

The LBI’s updated draft currently fails to adequately include affected persons, communities, and human rights defenders within Article 4 or under the definition of “victims” in Article 1.1...

The recognition of defenders in Article 5.2 of the updated draft is a positive step. We strongly support its retention, particularly the explicit commitment to protect environmental defenders and all human rights defenders from reprisals and harassment. However, this provision must outline specific measures that states are obligated to take. This includes protection from criminalization, judicial harassment, and strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs), which are routinely weaponized to silence defenders through burdensome and retaliatory litigation...

In addition, the LBI must explicitly guarantee the right to genuine, safe, and meaningful consultation with affected communities, Indigenous Peoples, women, and defenders prior to, during, and after the commencement of any business activity that could affect their rights, livelihoods, and environment...

Timeline

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  • UN negotiations caught between corporate lobby and the struggle for global justice
    30 Nov 2025
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    This briefing paper provides information on the key developments and results of the eleventh session and places them in political context.

  • Unions back UN binding treaty for corporate human rights accountability
    30 Oct 2025
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    "Global unions have reaffirmed their strong support for a binding United Nations treaty to hold corporations accountable for human rights abuses in their supply chains, following the latest session of the group tasked with working on this."

  • Conclusions from CIDSE and its members regarding the 11th session of the Intergovt. Working Group
    27 Oct 2025
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    “The 11th session of the OEIGWG, mandated under Human Rights Council resolution 26/9, signified a significant qualitative and political advancement in the decade-long endeavour towards establishing a legally binding instrument concerning transnational corporations and other business enterprises.”

  • Leadership from the Global South drives UN negotiations to end corporate impunity, says Global Campaign
    24 Oct 2025
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    "At the end of the 11th session of negotiations for a United Nations treaty to hold transnational corporations (TNCs) accountable for their human rights violations (Binding Treaty), the voices of those fighting for justice, accountability, and a peoples-centred multilateralism were heard throughout the halls of the UN."

  • Day 5: Friday 24 October
    24 Oct 2025
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    In the morning of the fifth and final day of the 11th session of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group (OEIWG), the draft report, recommendations of the Chair and conclusions of the OEIWG were adopted. After concluding statements from states and non-state stakeholders, the Chair formally concluded the 11th session.

  • Day 4: Thursday 23 October
    23 Oct 2025
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    In the morning of the fourth day of the 11th session of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group, participants continued to discuss redrafting proposals emerging from the intersessional thematic consultations on Articles 4 to 11. The discussion concluded in the afternoon session, followed by the presentation and approval of the 2026 Roadmap of the Working Group.

  • Day 3: Wednesday 22 October
    22 Oct 2025
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    The morning session of the third day of the 11th session of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group began with the continuation of state-led negotiations on Article 16 (Implementation), followed by comments from non-state stakeholders. Negotiations then moved to articles 17 to 24, which concluded in the afternoon session. Subsequently, states and non-state stakeholders began considering redrafting proposals emerging from the intersessional thematic consultations on articles 4 to 11.

  • Day 2: Tuesday 21 October
    21 Oct 2025
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    The morning session of the second day of the 11th session of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group began with non-state stakeholders sharing their comments on Article 13 (International Cooperation). Negotiations then moved to Article 14 (Consistency with International Law). In the afternoon, discussions covered Articles 15 (Institutional Arrangements) and 16 (Implementation).

  • Legally Binding Instrument on Business and Human Rights must prioritize victims, communities, and human rights defenders
    20 Oct 2025
    Article

    "Ahead of negotiations for the Legally Binding Instrument on Business and Human Rights, the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) alongside the undersigned organizations urge states to ensure that the said treaty serves to protect human rights for all, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized."

  • UN Binding treaty on business and human rights: A call for access to justice against corporate abuses at the 11th negotiation session
    20 Oct 2025
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    "In attendance at the United Nations Office in Geneva, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and 24 of its member and partner organisations delivered a general statement to renew their support for an effective United Nations (UN) Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights that can guarantee both justice and strong protections for people and communities affected by devastating corporate abuses. Read the statement below."

  • Day 1: Monday 20 October
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    The first day of the 11th session of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group started today in Geneva with the opening statements by states and civil society organisations (CSOs). In the afternoon, the session continued with CSOs’ general statements and then moved to textual proposals to Articles 12 and 13.

  • UN Binding Treaty: Friends of the Earth report analyses corporate “influence” in the negotiations
    18 Oct 2025
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  • Summary report on 2025 intersessional thematic consultations on a binding treaty
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  • UN Binding Treaty: Faith leaders urge states to reach consensus in the upcoming session of the Intergovt. Working Group
    9 Sep 2025
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    Over 100 faith leaders from 31 countries have issued a joint call to governments ahead of the 11th session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights (OEIGWG), urging them to reach consensus on a legally binding instrument on business and human rights.

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