| Speakers: H.E. Ms. Maria Fernanda Espinosa
Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the Human Rights Council and other International Organizations in Geneva Mr. Alfred De Zayas
Independent Expert on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order Mr. Jean Ziegler
Member of the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee Mr. Alberto Villarreal
Friends of the Earth International - REDES Â Moderator: Ms. Brid Brennan
Transnational Institute (TNI) Â Â Transnational corporations (TNCs) have indeed become major and powerful actors, and their activities, directly or indirectly, have a huge impact on human rights and the daily lives of people globally. But TNCs are able to evade national jurisdictions because of their transnational character, and the unprecedented economic, financial and political power they command, their economic and legal flexibility, and the complex structures they use to carry out their operations. Impunity therefore typically prevails, especially when the affected communities and peoples are in the Global South. In this regard, an Open Ended Inter-Governmental Working Group (OEIGWG) on TNCs and other business enterprises with respect to human rights was mandated to prepare a legally binding instrument to regulate the activities of TNCs. Â During the 31st session of the Human Rights Council, on the occasion of the presentation of the Report of the first Session of the OEIGWG, the Global Campaign organizes a side-event on the subject of TNCs accountability for human rights violations.
During this event key actors and experts of the process will debate about the on-going challenges that characterize the negotiations. They will present key elements regarding the content of the future legally binding international instrument. This side-event will also explore how to ensure that the new instrument is effective, reflects the needs of the affected communities, the realities of human rights violations on the groundand addresses existing gaps in protection and access to justice.
 Organizers: Centre Europe - Tiers-Monde (CETIM), Friends of the Earth International (FOEI) &Transnational Institute (TNI)/ members of the Global Campaign to Dismantle Corporate Power, Stop Impunity and Reclaim Peoples Sovereignty.  Organizers: Centre Europe - Tiers-Monde (CETIM), Friends of the Earth International (FOEI) &Transnational Institute (TNI)/ members of the Global Campaign to Dismantle Corporate Power, Stop Impunity and Reclaim Peoples Sovereignty. | 
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