The active participation of civil society organisations (CSOs) from all over the world brought to the session first-hand experience and in-depth analyses pointing to the shortcomings and inadequacy of existing frameworks. Their strong presence is testament to a global civil society demand for an instrument that will succeed in preventing and remedy corporate human rights abuses.
FIDH welcomes the quality of the discussions between States, experts and CSOs.
“For the first time at the UN, a space was created to discuss the regulation of corporate behaviour and to allow for substantive discussions on crucial issues, ranging from the scope of the treaty, legal liability and access to remedy. While there seems to be a general agreement on the need to ensure such an instrument provides for measures specifically addressing the challenges posed by transnational corporations, participating experts have made the point that the instrument should address all businesses for it to comprehensively address corporate accountability and serve as a vehicle that can deliver justice to all victims.”
FIDH regrets and denounces the absence of many States, and in particular wealthy countries home to the world’s largest multinational corporations.
“ Choosing to leave the chair empty sends yet another negative signal to victims of corporate-related abuse. Moreover, it raises questions regarding States’ commitments to prioritize human rights over economic interests, much more so when they – at the same time- hastily concluding trade and investment agreements largely protecting investors’ rights.”
FIDH calls on all States to actively and constructively take part in this process, building on this international process to take immediate political and legislative measures to reinforce national and regional normative systems and to ensure robust and effective enforcement mechanisms are put in place to respond to corporate-related human rights violations.
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