This past week marked the first session of historic discussions within the United Nations Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) towards a treaty on human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises. The process represents an unprecedented opportunity to effectively address the prevention and remedy of human rights abuses involving corporations. Despite a promising start on some core issues such as corporate liability and complicity, and the robust involvement of civil society, the absence of key States in the room is regrettable...