"People power paves the way for a truly people-centred Treaty", 29 Oct 2016

People power was at the forefront of talks on a treaty for transnational corporations and human rights this week in Geneva.  The creation of a set of international binding rules that would have profound implications for the world’s largest companies was a step closer by Friday.  Such a treaty would oblige companies to respect human rights in a way they have never had to before.  The need for this treaty was highlighted powerfully throughout the week by testimonies from communities suffering punitive corporate abuse worldwide...The groundswell in participation in the movement for a binding treaty was evident in the presence of more than 100 activists from 29 countries alongside an increased number of states participating with civil society organisations, lawyers and others...The treaty will need effective rules and mechanisms to constrain and control big business, to deter and punish them for their human rights abuses...Now we need to nurture the treaty, grow the movement, give voice to more communities on the frontline in the fight against punitive corporate abuses.  Greater participation is needed from governments in the UN, especially countries from Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean...