OECD Watch

⏰ It's time to hold export credit agencies accountable for environmental and human rights harms. 🚩What’s the problem? Export credit agencies (ECAs) play a major role in global trade but often escape responsibility for harmful impacts abroad. Sometimes existing as a hybrid between a state entity and a multinational enterprise, ECAs have often avoided accountability under applicable remedy mechanisms, including the National Contact Points of the #OECDGuidelines. 🎊 Fortunately, there are now new footholds for accountability. Following a submission by OECD Watch and the Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC) to the OECD highlighting divergent NCP practice in accepting complaints against ECAs, the OECD’s Investment Committee has weighed in: ➤ ECAs can be considered multinational enterprises under certain conditions, potentially making them subject to the NCP complaint mechanism.   ➤ Even if they are considered a state entity, they should meet the state duty to protect human rights under international law, which can include redressing their impacts and requiring human rights due diligence of clients. ⏩ This is a key step forward in holding export credit agencies accountable – and it comes as the OECD Export Credits Group negotiates a potential new exclusion against export credit for most fossil fuels, and an update of sustainability recommendations for ECAs. It's time for governments to implement these policy recommendations and ensure that ECAs adhere to the highest standards of responsible conduct, whether as multinationals or state agencies. Read more in our blog and check out our joint statement 👉 https://lnkd.in/eFcpaaJd Both ENDS Oil Change International Friends of the Earth U.S. Associação Fórum Suape Espaço Socioambiental Business and Finance at the OECD

👀 At the 13th UN Forum on Business and Human Rights OECD Watch advocated for strong, binding rules on responsible business conduct. ⚖️ #JustTransition was a hot topic in Geneva, and we took every opportunity to explain how crucial it is to protect people and the environment as we move away from fossil fuels. The #OECDGuidelines expect companies to address human rights and environmental harms associated with their transition to renewable energy. We reiterated our call for strong OECD principles guiding business on ensuring a just transition. More information 👉 https://lnkd.in/enHRzw3c ⚖️ “A right without a remedy is nothing more than a piece of paper,” said one panellist during a session we co-organised. We couldn’t agree more, so how do we ensure remedy happens? In two different sessions, we made the case for mandatory grievance mechanisms developed together with affected communities, and outlined key tools – from transparency, to determinations, to consequences – that non-judicial mechanisms must use to have real impact. Read more about our work on this 👉 https://lnkd.in/eXGaDxzM 🔗 We also welcomed the opportunity to connect with members and partners about the role OECD Watch should take in the changing landscape of business and human rights. Thanks to so many members who joined one-on-one meetings and our working dinner to help us drive a new mission and path for the future. More information 👉 https://lnkd.in/eTggimjY We would like to thank all our members and allies present at the Forum for sharing their insights, persistence, solidarity, and friendship! #JustTransition #BizzHumanRights #CorporateAccountability

❓How can we enforce effective remedy for communities that have suffered from corporate abuse? 🇺🇳 In another packed session at the #UNBHRForum yesterday, our OECD Watch member Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA) and other panellists navigated both the obstacles to remedy and a smart mix of measures needed to remove them. Two key quotes by panelists set the scene for a lively discussion: 🗝️ “A right without a remedy is nothing more than a piece of paper.” – Gilles Goedhart, Coordinator Mandatory Due Diligence at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 🗝️ “The multinational company has all the money, which gives them most – if not all of – the power. This is why it’s important to have mechanisms that allow affected communities to negotiate adequate remedies on a more equal footing.” – Mustapha Mahamah, Human Rights Lawyer at ACA. 🤔So, how can we have better, more accessible, and effective remedy for victims of corporate abuse? The panellists highlighted some of key obstacles faced, including: ❌ Lack of resources to participate in grievance mechanisms or court cases ❌ Fear of reprisals against human rights and environmental defenders ❌ Inefficient mechanisms that are slow to produce results   There was clear agreement across the different stakeholders on the panel that: ✅ Grievance mechanisms must be developed together with affected communities and workers ✅ A shift from voluntary to mandatory mechanisms is needed to better secure effective remedy  ✅ Having a smart mix of mechanisms can help strengthen the remedy ecosystem as a whole With: OECD Watch, Mustapha Mahamah, Gilles Goedhart, Damilola S. Olawuyi, SAN, FCIArb, Akihiro Ueda, Christina Hajagos-Clausen, Rosa Trejo, IndustriALL Global Union , UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, ADVOCATES FOR COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVES INC.

🇺🇳 We are at the #UNBHRForum in Geneva this week! Yesterday, one of the sessions we're involved in focused on the “smart mix of measures to leverage the contribution of financial actors to a just transition”. Panelists in this session explored key issues that we are also pushing for as part of the OECD’s Just Transition project 👉 https://lnkd.in/enHRzw3c 💡 Florencia Ortúzar Greene from AIDA highlighted the flaws in a so-called “just” transition that replicates a business-as-usual approach, with marginalised communities that continue to be sacrificed. She called upon financial institutions to ensure that money is being directed towards those communities and groups on the ground working on real solutions for the transition. 💡 ROBELIZA HALIP from the Rights Energy Partnership with Indigenous Peoples (REP) stressed the particular need to protect Indigenous Peoples rights, including FPIC. She called for more safe spaces for defenders to ensure meaningful dialogue with financial actors, businesses and states. ⚡ For the transition to be “just”, protection of human rights must not be undermined. The #OECDGuidelines are very clear about the rights of workers, affected communities, and environmental protection. OECD Watch is working with civil society around the globe to ensure these key issues are being included in the OECD’s project to provide just transition guidance for businesses. UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights

🤩 SOMO and OECD Watch are at the UN Business and Human Rights Forum in Geneva! 🤗 If you're here too, come by our table outside Room XX for a chat! 💪 I'm here with my amazing colleagues Marian G. Ingrams, Sara Fleischer, Aintzane Márquez Tejón, Hannah Greep, Laura Rincón Peláez, and Lok Hei Ho. Come see us! #UNForumBHR #bizhumanrights UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights

🍥 We've got two interesting NCP case updates for you before we head off to the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights 🍥 ⭕ On Wednesday, 20 November, Friends of the Earth U.S. and Articulação dos Povos Indígenas do Brasil (APIB) filed a complaint against BlackRock with the US National Contact Point. The asset manager allegedly violates the #OECDGuidelines by investing in agribusiness companies implicated in environmental and human rights abuses. OECD Watch provided support throughout the filing process. Read The Guardian's coverage on the filing 👉 https://lnkd.in/dgtNFena ⭕ Meanwhile, on Thursday 21 November, the UK NCP found that Glencore UK violated the #OECDGuidelines’ due diligence expectations at its oil operations in Chad. Complainant Rights and Accountability in Development (RAID), an OECD Watch member, and its partners in Chad dubbed the outcome a 'partial victory' in their fight over a toxic spill that wreaked havoc on communities in the African country. OECD Watch provided support while the complaint was being processed. Check out RAID's full assessment of the decision 👉 https://lnkd.in/d5u4mBv9 You can find these and other complaints and their history in our case database: https://lnkd.in/dKJyThDf 🤔 Do you consider filing a complaint against a company for violating the #OECDGuidelines? OECD Watch can assist you, so feel free to reach out to us.

📢 Are you attending the UN Forum on Business & Human Rights in Geneva next week? OECD Watch will be there and would love to connect with you! You can easily stop by our marketplace booth outside Room XX for a chat 👋 Event highlights include: No mHREDD, no smart mix: Developing effective legal frameworks in East Asia 📅 Tuesday, Nov 26, 13:30 CET, The CAV Enforcing effective remedy and a smart mix of measures 📅 Tuesday, Nov 26, 16:40 CET, Room XX To find out more about the events we are participating in, as well as events that other OECD Watch members are involved in, check out our latest newsletter 👉 https://lnkd.in/eMQnprB7 #BizHumanRights #BHR #UNBHR UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights Swedwatch Business & Human Rights Resource Centre SOMO World Benchmarking Alliance Polski Instytut Praw Człowieka i Biznesu (Polish Institute for Human Rights and Business)

What do the OECD Guidelines mean for human rights due diligence in Africa❓   OECD Watch is looking back at a fruitful couple of days during last week’s UNDP Africa's Business and Human Rights Forum.   Together with ADVOCATES FOR COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVES INC, our Hannah Greep hosted a session to explore the opportunities and challenges of the OECD Guidelines for African countries.   📝 Key takeaways: 💡 Filing complaints at #NationalContactPoints can be a helpful tool for civil society to hold corporations accountable, but they must be used to complement a broader strategy to achieve the best outcomes for communities.   💡 Many multinationals operating in Africa have made human rights commitments, but implementation still falls short, as mentioned by Judy Ninjo from the UN Global Compact Kenya. The Guidelines could be one tool to help engage with companies on how to fill this implementation gap.   💡 The Guidelines are a strong basis for African governments to develop legislation and policies on business and human rights, as highlighted by Khalid Ramli from the Moroccan National Contact Point.   Check out our website for more information and resources on how to use the Guidelines in your campaigns 👉 https://lnkd.in/edENFjtU #AfricanBusiness #HumanRights #OECDGuidelines #CorporateAccountability #BizHumanRights

Don't miss our session today at the UNDP Africa Forum on #BizHumanRights! Join us if you're interested in learning about how the #OECDGuidelines and #NationalContactPoints could help support your work! ⏰ 14:00 - 15:00 EAT 🏢 Conference Room 13 OECD Watch ADVOCATES FOR COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVES INC