abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Article

24 Oct 2019

Author:
Sherpa & European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR)

Sherpa and ECCHR to appeal decision at French Supreme Court

Today, the Investigation Chamber of the Paris Court of Appeals rejected the civil society organizations Sherpa and the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights’ (ECCHR) admissibility as civil parties in the case against French multinational construction company Lafarge for its role in Syria. Sherpa and ECCHR filed the original lawsuit against Lafarge, together with 11 former employees. The court’s decision on the indictment of former Lafarge executives and Lafarge as a legal entity has been postponed to 7 November 2019.

The organizations will appeal today’s decision at the French Supreme Court. The court will have the opportunity to examine this case, which has crucial repercussions for the role of civil society organizations in the fight against multinationals’ impunity for human rights violations, as well as victims’ access to justice...

“Civil party participation is essential to protect the rule of law and consolidate our democracy at a time when financial lobbying and political considerations sometimes slow down public prosecutors. Without our complaint, our expert judicial work, and support for the victims, such an investigation would not have been possible,” said Sandra Cossart, Sherpa’s Executive Director.

Part of the following timelines

French court of appeals rejects civil society organizations' admissibility as civil parties in case against Lafarge for alleged complicity in crimes against humanity in Syria

Lafarge lawsuit (re complicity in crimes against humanity in Syria)

Privacy information

This site uses cookies and other web storage technologies. You can set your privacy choices below. Changes will take effect immediately.

For more information on our use of web storage, please refer to our Data Usage and Cookies Policy

Strictly necessary storage

ON
OFF

Necessary storage enables core site functionality. This site cannot function without it, so it can only be disabled by changing settings in your browser.

Analytics cookie

ON
OFF

When you access our website we use Google Analytics to collect information on your visit. Accepting this cookie will allow us to understand more details about your journey, and improve how we surface information. All analytics information is anonymous and we do not use it to identify you. Google provides a Google Analytics opt-out add on for all popular browsers.

Promotional cookies

ON
OFF

We share news and updates on business and human rights through third party platforms, including social media and search engines. These cookies help us to understand the performance of these promotions.

Your privacy choices for this site

This site uses cookies and other web storage technologies to enhance your experience beyond necessary core functionality.