UN Binding Treaty negotiations kick off as Checkmate on corporate power nears

The 12th session of negotiations for a UN Binding Treaty to hold transnational corporations accountable for their human rights violations and ensure affected communities have access to justice is underway in Geneva, Switzerland. Following the launch of the pivotal Checkmate campaign and a solidarity action with Palestine, marking the latest stage in the genocide, Friends of the Earth International, alongside the Global Campaign to Reclaim Peoples’ Sovereignty, Dismantle Corporate Power and Stop Impunity, remains unwavering in its solidarity with affected communities to drive home a strong Treaty.

“After twelve years of negotiations, we can see a strong Binding Treaty on the horizon. We’ve gathered alongside movements and communities from all over the world who have witnessed and felt first-hand the brutality of corporate power. Chevron, Mekorot, Palantir, Total – these transnational corporations share a modus operandi of human rights violations and environmental destruction. The Binding Treaty will end the reign of profit over life, ensure impunity does not prevail, and give communities access to justice. The Binding Treaty will be the Checkmate on corporate power peoples and the planet desperately need.”

Letícia Paranhos
Friends of the Earth International

“As Sri Lankans, we recently experienced the transnational corporation Xpress Feeders, based in Singapore, decimating the marine and coastal environment and trampling on human rights, environmental rights and rights of future generations with impunity. All over the world, especially in the Global South, affected communities are in active struggle for justice, but there’s currently no legally binding international framework, which is why we need a strong Binding Treaty. It’s both a horizon and a meaningful step toward the dismantling of corporate power and an end to their impunity.”

Ravindranath Dabare
Center for Environmental Justice / FoE Sri Lanka

“Year after year of negotiations, we’re seeing the capture of multilateral spaces by corporations and the private sector. They are determined to ensure their profits continue growing while blocking meaningful progress on economic justice, Climate Justice, Food Sovereignty and more. They’re sacrificing communities and the environment. The transnational corporate lobby is very much present in the Binding Treaty talks, sneaking in as “non-governmental organisations” while demanding that corporate rights be respected. But rights are for people, rules are for business.”

Carmen Blanco
Friends of the Earth Europe

“For the African region, the Binding Treaty is vital. Communities here continue to face human rights violations and the devastation of their territories and livelihoods by transnational corporations. These corporations, that are so determined to put profit over life, are really nothing more than the latest form of colonisation. We need African States to stand up for a strong Treaty because entire communities are on the line as corporations invade the region with promises of jobs and economic growth, and leave behind only death and ruin.”

Erika Mendes
Justiça Ambiental JA! / FoE Mozambique

Negotiations will close Friday 16 October, and Friends of the Earth International alongside allies will continue to pursue a strong and effective Binding Treaty, a Checkmate on corporate power.