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Protect environmental defenders – hold companies to account

Yesterday I joined thousands of others in calling for the release of an environmental activist Natalie Lowrey.  Natalie Lowrey was arrested several days ago in Kuantan, Malaysia following a demonstration protesting at the environmental impact of a rare earths mining plant in the area. The plant is owned by an Australian company, Lynas Corporation.

It’s the latest case to cross my desk showing the risks faced by people who challenge environmental injustices. And, it is a classic example of communities and NGOs speaking out about the devastating impacts of corporate action on their land, families and future, versus a refusal to change the status quo by vested interests

Saying that the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is meeting this week doesn’t usually grab people’s attention, but like many others campaigning for accountability, justice and redress for human rights abuses, I’m closely following what’s happening in Geneva. This is because there’s a proposal before the UN Human Rights Council now which would ultimately make corporations accountable for human rights violations.

The proposal has received initial support by more than 80 nations and over 500 organisations. Like many human rights and environmental organisations, Friends of the Earth groups are in Geneva, campaigning in support of the proposal, believing that it will better protect the environment and its defenders as well as the lives and livelihoods of thousands of communities across the world.

Yet, once again, the EU – including the UK – is attempting to block action on human rights abuses by transnational corporations, putting big business above ordinary people.

The proposal is being vigorously opposed by a number of states including the EU block. There’s a not inconsiderable level of inconsistency, some might say hypocrisy, in the UK government which frequently positions itself as a staunch defender of human rights, opposing – as it is right now – moves to end the lack of accountability of transnational corporations.

The EU has taken a very obstructive approach at the UNHRC by openly stating that if the proposal gets adopted it will refuse to cooperate. Thus the EU is not only actively undermining the UN democratic process but also openly refusing to support real action against human rights violations by companies.

There’s no shortage of evidence of the need for change.

Tomorrow, 26 June, Friends of the Earth International will launch a report denouncing violence against environmental rights defenders. I wish I could be there. Friends of the Earth groups and members of affected communities will expose human rights abuses and environmental injustices committed by companies in Guatemala, Palestine, Nigeria and Uruguay.

I’ve read the report closely. It’s a compelling and horrifying snapshot of the abuses faced by communities across the globe because of company activities. Between November 2011 and October 2013 Friends of the Earth International recorded over 100 cases of violence against environmental rights defenders in 27 countries around the world. In April 2014, Global Witness denounced the killing of over 900 environmental rights defenders between 2002 and 2013. These are staggering figures. Other environmental rights defenders routinely risk human rights violations such as arbitrary arrest, detention without trial or the intimidation of themselves or their families.

The rights of many of these defenders – be they members of community who land or access to water is threatened or activists of international renown – are largely threatened because of the activities of national and international companies.

Surely in this context, an international treaty to stop human rights violations by companies is urgently needed. It’s still not too late. If enough states stand up for human rights, there’s a chance the resolution will be passed and the long process of drafting and negotiating these binding standards can begin.

 

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