A chara, – We are a coalition of organisations working with communities and human rights defenders all over the world who are suffering alarming corporate exploitation and abuse by companies, including some operating from Ireland.
We are witness to people being subject to violent evictions, land grabs, intimidation and even murder in countries in Central America, Asia and Africa.
We see how workers in supply chains are suffering labour rights abuses as they produce our garments and our gadgets.
We see how our precious natural resources are being desecrated through oil spills, forests being cut down and rivers being poisoned. We see how those who speak up for their rights face violent retaliation for doing so.
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The development of a robust UN Treaty on Business and Human Rights is a crucial opportunity to put in place strong human rights protections for communities being threatened by corporations.
We are calling on the Government to support the development of a strong UN Treaty, and to also follow the lead of a number of European countries and introduce new corporate accountability legislation here in Ireland.
Such legislation would make it a legal requirement for companies based here to address human rights issues across their global supply chains. This could prevent human rights abuses and environmental harm, hold companies responsible and provide justice for victims.
Given that just 90 companies, including the largest oil, coal and gas companies, are responsible for two thirds of all global carbon emissions to date, it is clear that we cannot address the climate crisis without addressing the issue of corporate accountability.We need to move beyond companies policing themselves.
There is no time to wait. Ireland must act to meaningfully protect people, and to protect the planet. – Yours, etc,
SORCHA TUNNEY,
Irish Coalition for
Business and Human Rights,
KAROL BALFE,
Action Aid Ireland,
JOHN McGEADY,
Africa Europe Faith
& Justice Network,
ROSAMOND BENNETT,
Christian Aid Ireland,
MARK CUMMING,
Comhlámh,
OISÍN COGHLAN,
Friends of the Earth Ireland
ANDREW ANDERSON,
Front Line Defenders,
GEARÓID Ó CUINN,
Global Legal Action Network,
ORLA O’ CONNOR,
National Women’s Council
JIM CLARKEN,
Oxfam Ireland
VICKI BRENNAN,
Proudly Made in Africa
MARY LEE RHODES,
GEMMA DONNELLY COX,
Trinity College Dublin,
CAOIMHE DE BARRA,
Trócaire.