We need to stop corporate abuse and privileges– say ‘yes’ to a UN Binding Treaty on business and human rights and ‘no’ to ‘free’ trade agreements that threaten democracy
We need rights for people and rules for corporations. In this session we will discuss what can be done.
What is the purpose of the UN Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights treaty? Why is it needed and what is required for it to become reality? Why are national and regional initiatives on mandatory Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (mHREDD), such as the one in process in the EU not enough? What can we do to support the Binding Treaty?
Vattenfall sued Germany for strengthening environmental laws and phasing out nuclear power. Huawei sued Sweden for banning them from selling 5G equipment and South Africa was sued by a foreign mining company for its reform to reduce inequality after apartheid. These are just a few examples of lawsuits made possible through Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) mechanisms. They are often included in trade and investment agreements and allow corporations to sue states for democratic decisions on measures that may reduce the value of their investments.
South Africa has chosen another way and shown that change is possible.
Main language: English
Speakers:
Daniel Ribeiro, technical coordinator, Justiça Ambiental, Mozambique
Rikard Allvin, independent author and trade expert, Sweden
Hemantha Withanage, Chair of Friends of the Earth International
Moderator: Annika Lillemets, Policy Advisor, Natural Resources, Business and Human Rights, Afrikagrupperna, Sweden