I M P U N I T Y
What can the Chevron case teach us about Business and Human Rights?
The victims of Chevron environmental crimes in the Ecuadorian Amazonas have been struggling for justice for over twenty-five years. This event will discuss how their fight has been inspirational for human right defenders worldwide.
European Parliament
30th Jan 2019, 9:00-11:00 | Room PHS 1C051
With Susan George, Pablo Fajardo, Adoración Guamán and Olivier de Schutter
Hosted by MEP Lola Sánchez Caldentey
The victims of the environmental and human rights crimes committed by Chevron in the Ecuadorian Amazonas have been fighting for justice for over twenty-five years. Their struggle has been inspirational for many of the communities affected by corporate crimes worldwide, but what has been going on exactly during these decades of struggle? What have been the victories and the obstacles faced by these human rights defenders and the affected communities?
In this session, an in-depth legal analysis of the rulings related to the case will be released. The report has been elaborated by a group of researchers led by Adoración Guamán, professor of the University of Valencia, and analyses both, the court rulings related to the case and the arbitral awards. The original report is only available in Spanish, but the presentation and debate will take place in English (or in Spanish with interpretation).
Far from being an exception, the Chevron case is symptomatic of one of the most pressing challenges of our times: the obstacles of States to fulfill their obligations to respect, protect, and remedy cases of human rights violations; of judicial systems to impose enforceable obligations on transnational corporations; and of people to enjoy their rights, especially access to remedy.
Besides focusing on the Chevron case in particular, the discussion panel will give us the opportunity to broaden the scope of the debate and reflect on the economic and political structure that enables corporate impunity.
Agenda
9:00 Introductory remarks by MEP Lola Sánchez (GUE/NGL)
9:10 The EU Parliament, an actor of corporate capture? by Susan George (Transnational Institute)
9:30 Twenty-five years fighting for justice by Pablo Fajardo (Union of Victims of Texaco)
9:50 Chevron strikes back: ISDS against the victims by Adoración Guamán (University of Valencia)
10:10 ISDS provisions in investment treaties: the dangers of a two-speeds justice by Olivier de Shutter (University of Louvain)
10:30 Open debate
Registration
The room capacity is limited. If you want to participate, we encourage you to register before the 22nd January by filling up this form: https://goo.gl/forms/V0Fl9uGnrynNMDLY2
We kindly ask you to register even if you already have an EP batch, so that we can save a seat for you.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact jorge.conesadelara@europarl.europa.eu
