abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Article

2 Nov 2017

Author:
Anne Van Schaick, Friends of the Earth Euope, in Euractiv

UN Treaty negotiations: A chance for the EU to champion human rights

This week more than 200 representatives of global civil society, including victims of human rights abuses by corporations, joined the third session of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group at the United Nations in Geneva on transnational corporations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights.

...The elements of the treaty provide essential suggestions on implementation and monitoring.

...This is why it is important that Ecuador...has proposed in its elements an International Court on Transnational Corporations (TNCs) and Human Rights. This is a must.

...Towards the end of the negotiations, the EU yet again hindered the UN treaty process from moving forward, by objecting to a fourth session of the Intergovernmental Working Group in 2018 and proposing to have only consultations on the process. But civil society and many states insisted that a fourth session should and will be realised in 2018.

...The European Union  has an important role to play in the upcoming negotiations, especially in a time of rising isolationism. We therefore urge the EU and its Member States individually, to support the UN Treaty and show that Europe can champion multilateralism and human rights and business. 

Timeline