Consultation on the establishment of a global fund: empowering rights-holders should be the priority
On January 31st 2014, FIDH, SOMO and ESCR-Net Corporate Accountability Working Group (CAWG) issued a Joint Submission in response to the OHCHR’s consultation on the feasibility of establishing a global fund to enhance the capacity of stakeholders to implement the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
FIDH, SOMO and ESCR-Net Corporate Accountability Working Group (CAWG) recommend that a prospective capacity-building fund focus first and foremost on empowering rights-holders. The priority recipients should be civil society organizations, affected communities and human rights defenders, and particular attention should be paid to enhancing the capacity of land and environmental rights defenders. The global fund should specifically serve to ensure greater access to effective remedy for victims of human rights violations. It should be governed in an independent and transparent way and ensure adequate representation and regular consultation with rights-holders and affected groups and individuals.
