Vani Sathisan, ICJ’s International Legal Adviser in Myanmar, and Carlos Lopez, ICJ Senior Legal Adviser on Business and Human Rights made presentations at the annual Business and Human Rights Forum.
Vani Sathisan’s statement highlighted the State duty to protect human rights and provide access to remedies; the need for greater cooperation between businesses and local communities; and possibilities for home governments to cooperate on business and human rights issues.
She underscored that the State duty to protect, respect and fulfil human rights is one that is already grounded in international human rights law and accordingly, Myanmar must adopt and enforce laws – including policies, legislation, and regulations – that are preventative and remedial, and to regulate business conduct and protect the economic, social and cultural rights of its people.
Without proper investment, land and environmental laws, as well as an effective judiciary to enforce these laws and provide appropriate judicial remedies, development projects risk being counterproductive for sustainable development and the protection of human rights in Myanmar.
This panel discussion can be viewed on the UN’s Web TV.
Carlos Lopez Carlos Lopez focused on the work of the Committee on the rights of the child on business and human rights through the adoption of General Comment 16 on States obligations regarding the impact of business on the rights of the child.
The Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights do not establish legal obligations, but elaborate on the practical implications of those obligations. The legal obligations for States to protect, respect and fulfil human rights are contained in international human rights treaties. One of them is the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Besides examining State reports and providing conclusions and recommendations, the Committee elaborates General Comments to assist States in their implementation of their legal obligations under the Convention. In February 2013 the Committee adopted General Comment 16 on States obligations regarding the business impacts on the rights of the child. This General Comment was necessary:
· First, because in the Committee’s examination of State reports the issue of impacts of economic actors had arisen repeatedly. The General Comment is a more organized response to these practical and recurrent issues.
· Second, the Committee considered that the existing instruments and guidance did not sufficiently address the particular situation and needs of children. GC16 aims at fulfilling that gap in relation with States while the UNICEF Child Rights and Business Principles does so in relation to business enterprises.
The Committee, with the support of a core group comprising UNICEF, ICJ, Save the Children and OHCHR started a process of reflection, research and global and regional consultations (these took place in Kenya, India and Argentina and an international seminar was held in Sion, Switzerland.
This panel discussion can be viewed on the UN’s Web TV.
Carlos Lopez also moderated a Panel on the rights of the child and business enterprises, under the title Measures for implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child in the context of business operations.
Alejandra Ancheita, founder and Executive Director of ProDESC, is one of the pioneers in seeking accountability for transnational companies in Mexican courts when local communities’ rights are not taken into account.
Alejandra Ancheita has worked with migrants, workers, and indigenous communities for over 15 years to protect their land and labour rights vis a vis transnational mining and energy companies.
These disputes have included violent attacks on those she is trying to protect.
In Mexico, there is a clear pattern of attacks, threats, criminalization, and murders of human rights defenders.
Alejandra Ancheita and ProDESC have been subjected to surveillance, a defamation campaign in the national media, and a break in at their offices.
“This recognition calls attention to the increasing violence being suffered by human rights defenders in Mexico, particularly women defenders,” she said. “I hope that it will provide better conditions and increased security not just for me, but for all human rights defenders in my country.”
“The ICJ is extremely pleased by the decision to pay tribute to the work of Alejandra Ancheita, not only because of her outstanding commitment and courage as an individual, but also because of the recognition that this award will provide to the area of human rights work that she has been dedicating herself to for many years,” said Olivier van Bogaert, ICJ Director of Media and Communications, and ICJ Representative on the MEA Jury.
The ICJ which also developed a longstanding work on economic, social and cultural rights, and on business and human rights, will devote the 2014 edition of its Geneva Forum for judges and lawyers to the role of courts in protecting economic, social and cultural rights.
The two other finalists, Cao Shunli (China) and Adilur Rahman Khan (Bangladesh), received Martin Ennals Prizes.
Cao Shunli, who died in in detention in March 14th after being denied medical attention for known health conditions had vigorously advocated for access to information, freedom of speech, and freedom of assembly.
She disappeared in September 2013 shortly before boarding a flight order to participate in the Human Rights Council.
Chinese authorities only acknowledged her detention months later.
A special foundation is planned in her honor.
Since the 1990’s, Adilur Rahman Khan worked on a wide range of human rights issues, such as illegal detention, enforced disappearances, and extra-judicial killings.
Personally he is facing criminal prosecution for documenting the extrajudicial deaths of 61 people during demonstrations against the government.
His organization, Odhikar, is one of the few independent voices left in Bangladesh.
It is facing closure as donor funds destined for Odhikar are being blocked by the Prime Minister’s Office.
The “Nobel Prize of Human Rights”, the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders (MEA) is a unique collaboration among ten of the world’s leading human rights organizations to give protection to human rights defenders worldwide.
Strongly supported by the City of Geneva, the award is given to Human Rights Defenders who have shown deep commitment and face great personal risk. Its aim is to provide protection through international recognition.
The Jury is composed of the following NGOs: ICJ, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Human Rights First, Int’l Federation for Human Rights, World Organisation Against Torture, Front Line Defenders, EWDE Germany, International Service for Human Rights, and HURIDOCS.
Olivier van Bogaert, ICJ Director of Media and Communications, and ICJ Representative on the MEA Jury, t: +41 22 979 38 08, e: olivier.vanbogaert(a)icj.org
Comunicado de la CIJ tras sua visita a 12 comunidades de San Juan Sacatepéquez afectadas por la construcción de una cementera y la carretera necesaria para comercializar la producción.
La Comisión Internacional de Juristas a la comunidad nacional e internacional expresa:
1. Con fecha viernes 12 de septiembre del presente año la CIJ llevó a cabo una visita a San Juan Sacatepéquez, Departamento de Sacatepéquez, a solicitud de dirigentes defensores de derechos humanos de las 12 comunidades de San Juan Sacatepéquez afectadas por la construcción de una cementera y la carretera necesaria para comercializar la producción. La visita permitió a la CIJ recabar información acerca de las dificultades que atraviesan dichas comunidades por la construcción de esta infraestructura, la cual se encuentra muy cercana a las viviendas y a la población afectada.
2. Los dirigentes de las comunidades explicaron en dicha visita, los principales daños que la construcción les causa desde ya hace varios años, siendo éstos:
a) Desde que se inició el proyecto de la construcción de la cementera las comunidades han sufrido problemas que no existían con anterioridad incluyendo amenazas en contra de quienes se oponen a dicho proyecto, órdenes de captura, procesos penales abiertos en forma prolongada y sentencias condenatorias sin pruebas .
b) Periódicamente, un helicóptero sobrevuela la zona a poca altura, causando zozobra en la población. Se trata, en opinión de los dirigentes de las 12 comunidades de San Juan Sacatepéquez, de un acto de provocación para afectar a las comunidades que se oponen al proyecto mencionado.
c) En el año 2008 ya sufrieron la imposición de un estado de excepción y temen ahora que se pueda querer establecer otro, para construir a la fuerza la carretera aludida. Si bien han solicitado información acerca del trazo de la misma al Ministerio de Comunicaciones y Obras Públicas, no han logrado obtener dicha información, razón por la cual temen que pueda atravesar sus terrenos, sin su consentimiento.
d) La construcción de la obra ha afectado los derechos y estilo de vida de los pobladores. Por ejemplo, algunas viviendas han sufrido rajaduras por los temblores que causa la construcción de la obra; las enfermedades respiratorias han aumentado, debido al polvo que provoca la construcción; el ruido de noche y durante la madrugada, no les permite vivir en paz y en general, su proyecto de vida ha sido seriamente afectado. El daño al ambiente (por ejemplo tala de árboles, ruido y otros), los está afectando y cuando la fábrica entre en operación temen que el impacto sea aún mayor e irreversible para la población del lugar.
3. Los dirigentes expresaron su deseo de solucionar esta situación por la vía del diálogo; agregaron que han demostrado estar comprometidos a favor de la solución pacífica de la problemática que les afecta; para eso han participado en la mesa de diálogo establecida previamente, con las autoridades gubernamentales.
4. A pesar de lo anterior y con gran preocupación la CIJ ha recibido alegaciones de que en la madrugada del sábado 20 de septiembre, se registraron hechos de violencia, que dejaron un saldo de aproximadamente 8 personas muertas y un número considerable de heridos. La versión oficial es confusa y no especifica el número de víctimas, ni el estado de las personas heridas, ni de otros elementos que permitan establecer la verdad de lo sucedido. De acuerdo a la información recibida lunes 22 de septiembre en la madrugada, un fuerte contingente policial entró al municipio; esto podría indicar que las autoridades pretenden imponer por segunda vez, un estado de excepción.
Ante esta situación, la Comisión Internacional de Juristas expresa:
I. Su preocupación por los actos de violencia y la posible imposición de un estado de excepción, en vista de que la legislación nacional no cumple con los estándares internacionales en la materia. En repetidas ocasiones, la CIJ ha solicitado al Congreso de la República la aprobación de una nueva Ley de Orden Público, tal y como se estableció en los Acuerdos de Paz;
II. La CIJ considera necesario que, en estas circunstancias, las víctimas de los hechos sucedidos la madrugada del sábado 20 de septiembre y sus familiares, sean atendidos adecuadamente.
III. Corresponde a las autoridades del Estado de Guatemala llevar a cabo una investigación rigurosa para aclarar los hechos. Antes de llevar a cabo esta investigación e informar a la ciudadanía sobre lo sucedido, debería evitarse la imposición de un estado de excepción con el fin de evitar más violencia y daños a las comunidades afectadas por la construcción de la cementera.
La Comisión Internacional de Juristas urgió al Ministro de Gobernación que antes de tomar medidas limitativas de derechos mediante un estado de excepción, proporcione información precisa sobre el número de víctimas, posibles líneas de investigación, el paradero de las personas heridas, si hay desplazados internos y otros aspectos de carácter humanitario.
The ICJ today submitted to the United Nations a written statement concerning corporate complicity in human rights abuses and access to justice for victims of such abuses.
The statement is made ahead of the UN Human Rights Council’s 23rd session (27 May to 14 June 2013) and comments on a report of the Council’s Working Group on human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises.
Setting out issues concerning obstacles to justice for victims of human rights abuses by business enterprises, the ICJ calls on the Working Group to take various steps to address such issues, including by:
Exploring the further development of international standards;
Raising specific allegations of corporate abuse with relevant State authorities and business enterprises; and
Addressing more clearly the issue of access to justice in cases of corporate complicity.
In an interactive dialogue with representatives of its government, the ICJ called on Brazil to bring its legislation and practice in full compliance with its obligation to consult with indigenous peoples. Watch the webcast.
The ICJ also urged Brazil to expedite steps towards ratification of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the International Convention for the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and ILO Convention 189 on the protection of domestic workers.
The ICJ delivered its statement today during the adoption by the UN Human Rights Council of the Universal Periodic Review outcome document on Brazil, during the course of the 21st regular session of the Council.
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