Business and Human Rights

Global Witness Submission to the Report by the UN Secretary-General regarding the dissemination and implementation of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights

26th March 2012

Global Witness welcomes this opportunity to provide input to the report by the UN Secretary-General on how the United Nations system as a whole, including programmes, funds and specialized agencies, can contribute to the advancement of the business and human rights agenda and the dissemination and implementation of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (‘UN Guiding Principles’). We believe the key areas for focus are via:

Towards a proactive business and human rights regime - A Global Witness paper to the Danish EU Presidency

31st May 2012

Background

Global Witness is a non-governmental organisation that for 17 years has run pioneering campaigns against natural resource-related conflict and corruption and associated human rights abuses. We have exposed the brutality and injustice that results from the fight to access and control natural resource wealth, and have sought to bring the perpetrators of this corruption and conflict to account.

Financing a parallel government?

20th June 2012

Read the press release to accompany this report

Read the ensuing debate in the UK Parliament

Action urgently needed to stop off budget financing to Mugabe’s regime

23rd June 2012
The international community must act to prevent off budget financing of Mugabe’s feared secret police, said Global Witness in a report published today. The report, Financing a Parallel Government?, reveals that Zimbabwe’s Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) appears to have received off budget financing from a Hong Kong-based businessman at the same time that the CIO is alleged to be engaging in a campaign to discredit key members of Zimbabwe’s opposition.

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The international community must act to prevent off budget financing of Mugabe’s feared secret police, said Global Witness in a report published today.

The Charles Taylor Verdict: A Global Witness briefing on a dictator, blood diamonds and timber, and two countries in recovery

24th May 2012

Download this briefing

Read the press release: Justice for Sierra Leone and Charles Taylor found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity 

Justice for Sierra Leone as Charles Taylor found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity

26th April 2012
Today’s verdict by the Special Court for Sierra Leone that Charles Taylor is guilty of 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity delivers justice for the people of Sierra Leone and marks a momentous step in international efforts to end impunity. It also highlights the crucial role natural resources played in fuelling the country’s conflict, said Global Witness today.

Read the Global Witness background briefing on the Charles Taylor Verdict

Congolese victims’ pursuit of justice against Canadian company goes to Supreme Court

26th March 2012
Global Witness, as part of the Canadian Association Against Impunity (CAAI) has filed an application with the Supreme Court of Canada on behalf of Congolese families. The families are seeking leave to appeal the Quebec Court of Appeal’s decision to dismiss a human rights case against the Canadian corporation Anvil Mining Limited.

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EU takes step towards conflict-free supply chains

27th January 2012
Global Witness and CCFD-Terre Solidaire welcomed a commitment today by EU Trade Commissioner De Gucht and Development Commissioner Piebalgs to make supply chains more transparent, a move that will help prevent natural resource-fuelled conflict. The two groups called on the Commission to swiftly roll out regulation requiring companies sourcing minerals to do checks – known as due diligence – on their supply chains.

Global Witness and CCFD-Terre Solidaire welcomed a commitment today by EU Trade Commissioner De Gucht and Development Commissioner Piebalgs to make supply chains more transparent, a move that will help prevent natural resource-fuelled conflict. The two groups called on the Commission to swiftly roll out regulation requiring companies sourcing minerals to do checks – known as due diligence – on their supply chains.

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