From 23 to 27 October potentially historical discussions on a future treaty that will bind all transnational corporations to respect human rights will be held at the UN in Geneva. Faced with high stake negotiations, the position of many States still remains unknown or uncertain. For the negotiations to be a success, the majority of States must engage now to build the international framework to fight against serious abuses committed by certain companies…

As FIDH has demonstrated several times, the "soft law” framework provided so far for the regulation of corporate activities has proved insufficient to fill the persisting gaps regarding the prevention of negative human rights impacts, protection of right holders and access to remedy for victims of corporate abuses.

While States like France have announced that they would participate in a constructive and pragmatic manner in the negotiations to bring about a binding treaty, others have shown hostility (US) or have been unsure of which approach to take, despite a strong interest (European Union). As many States seem hesitant, it belongs to the leading countries to give the necessary impetus…