«Il n‘y a pas un monde développé et un monde sous-développé, mais un seul monde mal développé»
Transnational corporations (TNCs) have become major and powerful actors.
The activities of transnational corporations are a source of multiple human rights violations
In many cases, especially when victims are from the Global South, impunity prevails. TNCs are indeed able to evade national jurisdictions because of the unprecedented economic, financial and political power they command, their transnational character, their economic and legal flexibility and the complex structures they use to carry on their activities.
Since the late 90s, the CETIM is firmly committed to ending the impunity of transnational corporations and ensuring access to justice for the victims of their activities. The CETIM supports social movements, trade unions and organizations representing victims and affected communities from the Global South in their efforts to access the UN human rights protection mechanisms. And the CETIM is involved to their sides in the campaign for new binding international norms to end impunity, providing its support for their participation in the negotiations and the presentation of their proposals.
Access to justice for victims of TNCs
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL 28th session March 2015 [Excerpt from the statement] We also recognise the positive role that the Government has played in preventing environmental deterioration and water pollution by not granting mining permits. An emblematic case is that of the Australian-based company Oceana Gold, which insists on its will to start a mining project […]
Continue readingHUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL 31st session March 2016 [Extract from the statement] There are many cases of planned and targeted assassinations of human rights defenders, whether by public officials or private actors. This is what happened on 3 March 2016 to Berta Cáceres, an indigenous leader and defender of the rights of indigenous peoples and the […]
Continue readingHUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL 35th session June 2017 [Excerpt from the statement] In this regard, we are alarmed by the health situation in the plains region of Argentina. Our partners from the Regional Assemblies of Fumigated Villages, the Network of Doctors of Fumigated Villages and the Association of Environmental Lawyers informed us of the harmful impacts […]
Continue readingHUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL 21st session September 2012 [Excerpt from the declaration] One of the main reasons for the existence of a State is to guarantee the security of its citizens and anyone residing on its territories. This of course means physical security, but also social security. The proliferation over the past two decades of private […]
Continue readingHUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL 21st Session September 2012 [Extract from the statement] We were surprised by the content of the Secretary-General’s report on business and human rights. The report praises voluntary codes of conduct for transnational corporations (TNCs) such as the Global Compact and the Ruggie Guidelines. There is no reference to the fundamental legal instruments […]
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