Hard times for Shell. On 12 February 2021, two weeks after the Court of Appeal of The Hague found Shell subsidiary and parent company liable for oil spills in Nigeria in a landmark ruling, the UK Supreme Court, in a much awaited ruling, confirmed that proceedings against the parent company could continue before UK courts for similar issues raised by Nigerian farming and fishing communities, as real issues were to be tried.
Read moreICC territorial jurisdiction extends to the Palestinian occupied territory
On 5 February 2021, the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Court (ICC) ruled that the court’s territorial jurisdiction extends to the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel during the Six-Day War in June 1967, namely the West Bank, including East Jerusalem and Gaza. This decision follows the Prosecutor’s request for a ruling on the court’s territorial jurisdiction in Palestine to confirm her ability to investigate alleged crimes committed in the occupied Palestinian territory since June 13, 2014.
Read moreLandmark ruling: Shell subsidiary and parent company found liable for oil spills in Nigeria
On January 29, 2021, the Court of Appeals of The Hague found in two judgements (cases A and B and cases C and D in Dutch) Shell Nigeria (SPDC) and its parent company Royal Dutch Shell (RDS) responsible for oil spills in the Niger Delta in Nigeria.
Read moreKeep drilling and don’t worry about GHGs, says the Norwegian Supreme Court
On December 22, 2020, the Norwegian Supreme Court dealt a hard blow to the fight against climate change. The Court confirmed (in Norwegian) the validity of a 2016 royal decree granting ten production licences in the Barents Sea, dismissing the claims that drilling activities violate the right to a clean environment enshrined under Article 112 of the Constitution and the right to life and the right to privacy, family life and home protected under Articles 2 and 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
Read moreNew EU Regulation imposing sanctions on companies involved in serious human rights violations worldwide
On December 7, 2020, the Council of the European Union adopted Regulation 2020/1998 concerning restrictive measures against serious human rights violations and abuses.
Read moreWhat to keep from the negotiations on the UN draft treaty on business & human rights?
October 30, 2020, marked the end of the 6th session of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations (OEIGWG) and the discussions on the second revised UN draft treaty on business and human rights.
Read moreSummary of the consultations on the UN draft treaty on business & human rights (day 4)
On October 29, 2020, fourth day of the 6th session of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations, stakeholders discussed Articles 12, 13, 14 and 15 of the second revised UN draft treaty on business and human rights.
Read moreSummary of the consultations on the UN draft treaty on business & human rights (day 3)
On October 28, 2020, third day of the 6th session of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations, stakeholders discussed Articles 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the second revised UN draft treaty on business and human rights.
Read moreSummary of the consultations on the UN draft treaty on business & human rights (day 2)
On October 27, 2020, second day of the 6th session of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations, stakeholders discussed Articles 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 of the second revised UN draft treaty on business and human rights.
Read moreSummary of the consultations on the UN draft treaty on business & human rights (day 1)
On October 26, 2020, the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations (OEIGWG) begun its 6th session which will take place until October 30, 2020 to discuss the second revised UN draft treaty on business and human rights.
On the first day, stakeholders presented their general statements on the draft treaty and amendments to the preamble, Articles 1 and 2.
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