Geneva, 28 October 2026. The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) has formally submitted its observations to the Secretariat of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on transnational corporations and other business enterprises (OEIGWG). This submission addresses the proposed reformulations of the draft treaty text offered by Ecuador, acting as Chair-Rapporteur of the negotiation process.
The ongoing negotiations aim to address significant gaps in international human rights law by establishing a legally binding instrument that holds corporations accountable for abuses and violations. Created in 2014, the OEIGWG is tasked with elaborating this treaty to ensure legal accountability for transnational business activities. FIDH’s latest contribution analyzes the textual suggestions provided by the Chair-Rapporteur and offers specific recommendations to strengthen the final document.
While acknowledging several positive developments in the proposed changes that could enhance human rights protections, FIDH emphasized critical areas requiring further attention during the recent session. The organization stressed the necessity of ensuring the meaningful participation of affected communities in the implementation and oversight of the treaty. Additionally, FIDH called for the establishment of stronger safeguards specifically designed for conflict-affected areas.
A central pillar of FIDH’s submission is the demand for effective mechanisms to hold companies accountable and provide tangible remedies for victims. The federation reiterated its call for states to seize this opportunity to adopt an ambitious treaty that covers all business enterprises without exception. The text must protect the full range of human rights, explicitly including the right to a healthy environment.
FIDH underscored that human rights must take precedence over any conflicting commercial or investment interests. Achieving this hierarchy is essential to ensure the treaty fulfills its intended purpose: bringing about justice and accountability whenever corporate activities impact rights and the environment. The submission serves as a final round of contributions before the release of a new revised draft, highlighting the urgency of strengthening the text to provide real change for affected people and communities.
This report was produced by the HuMedia newsroom.
