On Wednesday 23 February, the European Commission presented its proposal for a Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence and amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937. It imposes a principle of due diligence on companies with regard to human rights and environmental violations. This long-awaited text, whose initial ambition we commend, contains many gaps that could limit its scope and impact.

In a letter made public today, Sherpa, Friends of the Earth France and Avocats sans Frontières call the oil company Perenco S.A out. Our associations denounce the opacity of Perenco group’s organization and operation, as well as the absence of any information on the way the French company takes into account the social and environmental consequences of its activities abroad. While its activities are regularly criticized for their negative impacts on the environment and human rights, the multinational seems to be favoring this opacity, which would allow it to continue operating with impunity.

The Djugu 2 trial came to an end on 1 April 2021. It concluded with 21 defendants being sentenced to life imprisonment for crimes against humanity by murder, arson, destruction, pillaging and persecution, and 11 defendants being acquitted. The 219 civil parties were also granted most of their claims for reparations, both individual and collective, including rehabilitation measures, thus breaking with the practice of awarding only damages.

Les avocats Ebru Timtik et Aytaç Unsal, condamnés à respectivement 14 ans et 11 années de prison, ont décidé de faire une grève de la faim illimitée pour dénoncer le procès injuste dont plusieurs dizaines d’avocats turcs font l’objet. Ils demandent à pouvoir bénéficier d’un procès équitable. Ce jeudi 27 août 2020, nous avons appris avec une peine immense le décès de Ebru Timtik, en grève de la faim depuis 238 jours. Aytaç Unsal est toujours en grève de la faim aujourd’hui et sa libération pour raisons de santé a déjà été rejetée. Nous demandons la libération immédiate de Aytaç Unsal, afin qu’il ne subisse pas le même sort qu’Ebru Timtik. Nous demandons également le respect, sans délai, du droit à un procès équitable, garanti par l’article 6 de la Convention européenne des droits de l’homme à laquelle la Turquie est partie.

Joint statement adressed to the member states of the African Union and to human rights international organisations in Africa.

Au vu des circonstances exceptionnelles qui touchent l’ensemble de la planète, dues à la menace grave et imminente que représente la « pandémie COVID19 » pour la santé et la vie humaines, et sur la base des diverses mesures de prévention prônées par l’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé (OMS) et adoptées par de nombreux pays pour en endiguer la propagation (procédures visant à réduire les contacts humains, mesures de mise en quarantaine ou de confinement, etc),.. Le Forum Tunisien pour les Droits Economiques et Sociaux (FTDES) et Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF) expriment leurs profondes préoccupations quant au maintien de l’activité dans les industries à forte intensité de main-d’œuvre, notamment le secteur du textile.

The signatories strongly condemn all violation of human rights of those seeking asylum in the European Union. On no account does the protection of the EU’s external borders exempt EU Member States from their obligations under European law. None of the current Greek practices of suspending registration of asylum applications, pushing back refugees arriving from Turkey, deporting refugees back to their countries of origin or countries of transit where they will face continued persecution or containing refugees in overcrowded camps without access to basic needs and access to law, are compatible with international and European laws on human rights.

ASF and I Watch are united in promoting the principles of respect and protection of human rights in the context of the business industry. In this context, on the 26 July 2018, we brought the activities of the Perenco Group in the governorate of Kebili in Tunisia, and their compliance with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, to the attention of the French National Contact Point (NCP) of the OECD.

The International Criminal Court sentences the former leader of the Movement for the Liberation of Congo, Jean-Pierre Bemba to 18 years’ imprisonment for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by his troops in the Central African Republic in 2002-2003. ASF supports the prosecution of other perpetrators of serious crimes committed in CAR, including through the effective establishment of the Special Criminal Court.

The International Criminal Court declared Jean-Pierre Bemba guilty of crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by his troops in the Central African Republic (CAR). For ASF, this decision concerning the former political and military leader from Congo is only the first step towards fighting against impunity and dealing with past crimes in the CAR. The Central African Special Criminal Court must rapidly initiate trials for these serious crimes and open the way for reconciliation and durable peace in the country.