A landmark moment in the UN Human Rights Council took place last week, as countries began negotiating the text of a UN treaty... CAFOD [Catholic international development charity] said in a statement today: This represents important progress for the communities, workers, and survivors who have struggled for decades to protect their human rights from violations and abuses by irresponsible transnational corporations and other business enterprises...CAFOD and a broad coalition of environmental groups, trade unions and church leaders called on governments to get to grips with the real challenges, in the light of the very real dangers that communities, workers, activists and human rights defenders face now if they challenge business interests.

CAFOD lead analyst on the Private Sector Anne Lindsay said: "We are pleased that the EU didn't try to block this crucial process but frankly we expect more. So many global companies are based in Europe. The European Union and individual member states, including the UK, should bring their collective experience to the content of the Treaty..."...CAFOD partner organisations from Colombia raised their concerns about the impacts of megaprojects by transnational companies on local rivers and communities.