CSOs urge PH government to push for HR binding treaty in Geneva Activists staged a protest in front of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) office on June 24 to urge the Philippine government to support the push for a binding treaty on human rights and transnational corporations. In solidarity with the Dismantle Corporate Power and Stop Impunity mobilization in Geneva, Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) and Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) with many other civil society organizations suited up and posed as corporate executives to mockingly represent the transnational corporations (TNCs). ATM Press Statement 24 June 2014 According to Jaybee Garganera, ATM national coordinator, the mobilization “signifies the CSOs demands for the Philippine government to support the binding treaty that will establish a mechanism to hold corporations accountable for their impunities.” The proposed binding treaty aims to construct an international instrument that can enforce the implementation of corporate human rights and corporate accountability of TNCs. “Our government needs to prioritize the protection of human rights against corporate impunity as the situation is getting worse here in our country.” Said Garganera. He added, “A case to transcend the global problem in our national setting is the human rights (HR) abuses of Glencore/Xstrata against the indigenous people (IP) of Bla’an in Tampakan. “Had there been a legally binding treaty holding transnational corporations accountable for their actions, anti-mining advocates like Juvy Capion, his two sons, and other Bla’an leaders and members would not have lost their lives.” stressed Garganera. Currently, Fr. Joy Pelino and Rene Pamplona from Social Action Center of the Diocese of Marbel (SAC MARBEL) are in Geneva to represent the Philippines in the UNHRC council meeting and in the global action against corporate impunity and to expose the HR abuses of Glencore in Tampakan. In a statement, Fr. Pelino said that Glencore “has desecrated peoples freedom, dignity and identity.” And thus “should be stopped” with their “monstrosity.” Pelino also urged the people of goodwill to stand with those who are already marginalized and further excluded by the TNCs. Presently, Glencore is on trial for allegedly committing human rights abuses to four (4) – Peru, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia – other countries aside from the Philippines. Meanwhile, the Philippine mission in Geneva attending to the UNHRC meeting keeps mum on the stand of the Philippine government on the alleged abuses by Glencore in Tampakan and the binding treaty being deliberated. In a closing statement, Garganera called on the Philippine government especially on the DFA to “make the voices of the marginalized be heard.” He also urged the gov’t to “protect its people from corporate abuses by speaking up and giving a clear stand against corporate impunity.” ### For more information: Jaybee Garganera, ATM National Coordinator, (0917) 549.82.18 Check Zabala, ATM Media and Communications Officer, (0927) 623.50.66
Posted on: Tue, 24 Jun 2014 12:02:53 +0000
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