In October 2019, members expressed powerful human rights arguments to reinforce the network’s collective call for a strong treaty to guide efforts by states to regulate business activity. Building on collective advocacy in recent years, at the IGWG members have emphasized the need for strong language in the treaty with regards to corporate capture, women’s rights and the protection of human rights defenders.
Looking ahead to the sixth IGWG in October 2020, ESCR-Net members around the world have already begun to strategize on critical issues that must be addressed in the lead up to the upcoming negotiations of the draft treaty. Advocates are encouraging States to engage in the treaty process and push for stronger language in the text of the treaty that would provide the utmost possible protection for indigenous communities, human rights defenders, women and communities in conflict affected areas. This will be crucial at a time when members are also working to prevent corporate capture of the process and to ensure that the treaty reflect appropriate language that would prevent conflict of interest in public decision-making processes. Additionally, States will be urged in the coming months to propose language amendments to the treaty that would ensure further protection of the environment, land and natural resources. In their advocacy, members will again be sharing and referring to the collective ESCR-Net position, which reflects language for a treaty that is more in line with human rights and international law than previous drafts.
