Briefing on Corporate Accountability – the links between Business, Natural Resources and Conflict

international | environment | event notice Wednesday April 16, 2008 16:19 by Fleachta - Comhlamh

Comhlamh in collaboration with Trócaire would like to invite you to an evening session on Thursday 24th April in the Comhlamh offices from 18.30 to 20.00 to meet with Global Witness staff visiting Dublin.

Global Witness exposes the corrupt exploitation of natural resources and international trade systems and drives campaigns that end impunity, resource-linked conflict, and human rights and environmental abuses.

Global Witness - Briefing on Corporate Accountability – the links between Business, Natural Resources and Conflict

Thursday 24 April - Comhlamh Office (10 Upper Camden Street), 6.30 -8.00 pm.

Global Witness works to break the links between the exploitation of natural resources and conflict and corruption. It has been a main driver behind most of the major international mechanisms and initiatives that have been established to address these issues; including the Kimberley Process and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). Global Witness is largely responsible fornatural resources occupying the prominent role in the international agenda that they currently do.

Against this backdrop, the United Nations Secretary General appointed Special Representative on Business and Human Rights is preparing his final report for the UN Human Rights Council that is meeting this June. The appointment of this Special Representative arose following the abortive attempts to agree what were termed at the time the 'UN norms' on responsibilities of Multinational Enterprises.

The Special Representative, John Ruggie, has prepared a number of interim reports and now his final one is due this June. This report represents an important opportunity for the debate to move forward and for practical international actions to be brought forward that would advance the accountability of Multinational firms.

Seema JOSHI of Global Witness was seconded to his team to look at corporate related human rights abuses in conflict zones. Seema and her collegue Mike Davis will present their work in what will hopefully be a lively and informative discussion!