Jessica Lawrence

Human rights lawyer | MSc International Human Rights Law @UniofOxford

[Business and Human Rights Centre @BHRCmedia]

The 11th session of the UN Intergovernmental Working Group elaborating a legally binding instrument on business and human rights kicked off today in Geneva.

We'll be covering the key takeaways every day this week. Read today's summary: https://t.co/9L1aB2AJQR #bizhumanrights

[SAHRCommission @SAHRCommission]

Inquiry | Day 2 of the SAHRC’s National Inquiry into Policy Framework around Artisanal Mining is underway in Johannesburg, Gauteng.

Lawyers for Hunan Rights take the stand to give oral testimony.

[SERI @SERI_RightsSA]

[MARIKANA] Today marks thirteen years since the #marikanamassacre of 2012. Between 12 & 16 August, 44 people were killed, including 34 mineworkers on the 16th. SERI remembers Marikana for its lessons & we mourn the lives lost.

#RememberMarikana | #JusticeForMarikana

[Lawyers for Human Rights @LHR_SA]

📍@Jeskaye is back in Geneva this week, attending the thematic intersessional consultations on the United Nations #BindingTreaty on #BusinessAndHumanRights - a binding treaty to hold big business accountable for human rights violations all over the world. 🌍 Follow for updates!

[CALS @CALS_ZA]

@AIDC_RSA @Jeskaye @LHR_SA @ChristopherGvrs @SAHRCommission Some companies have embraced voluntary mechanisms such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. They use this as a marketing tool, but do not centre human rights.

The #BindingTreaty is an opportunity instead to hard wire human rights into the global economy

[CALS @CALS_ZA]

@AIDC_RSA @Jeskaye @LHR_SA @ChristopherGvrs We can also make use of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights which has the expertise and is working on a regional treaty on corporate accountability.

Find out more: https://t.co/AYtT7e12YS

[CALS @CALS_ZA]

@AIDC_RSA Next up, we have @Jeskaye from @LHR_SA discussing Africa's position in the #BindingTreaty negotiations.

Africa has been at the forefront of this process since the beginning, and our role has only become more important following push back from business-friendly states

[CALS @CALS_ZA]

It's Day 2 of the African Regional Indaba on a #BindingTreaty on business and human rights hosted with @LHR_SA and @AIDC_RSA.

Today, we are joined by representatives of communities, civil society organisations, African states and human rights bodies

#TreatyIndaba2025

[Lawyers for Human Rights @LHR_SA]

"The reality is that the Binding Treaty is still something that is information and still in development....that means that we need to also be creative about the way in which we try to hold these companies accountable" - Thato Gaffane

[CALS @CALS_ZA]

@ChristopherGvrs @LHR_SA @macua_sa @key_kelo The rights of communities in South Africa are impacted by corporations like mines – despite their legal obligations. The reality is that the #BindingTreaty is still in development. We have to be creative to hold corporations accountable until it is adopted

[Lawyers for Human Rights @LHR_SA]

📍We are at the 7th African Regional Indaba on the #UNBindingTreaty on Business & Human Rights, co-hosted with @CALS_ZA & @AIDC_RSA

Jessica Lawrence highlights the process and progress of the #BindingTreaty negotiations.

#7thAfricanRegionalIndaba #CorporateAccountability

[Lawyers for Human Rights @LHR_SA]

Tomorrow we kick off the 7th African Regional Indaba on the #UNBindingTreaty on Business & Human Rights, co-hosted with @CALS_ZA & @AIDC_RSA

📍 28–29 May 2025, Johannesburg.

Let’s build solidarity for corporate accountability!

#BusinessAndHumanRights #AfricanIndaba

[Lawyers for Human Rights @LHR_SA]

We are at the #AlternativeMiningIndaba! This year's theme: Energy Transition, for Who? A critical question, looking into where the benefit sharing and communities are in the Just Energy Transition. #AMI2025 @AltMiningIndaba

[Minority Rights Group @MinorityRights]

Minority Rights Group is gravely concerned by the impact of the developing situation in the #DRCongo on its #indigenous Batwa and Bambuti communities.

The security situation is deteriorating daily with the presence of the M23 rebel group in Kalehe territory.

[Lawyers for Human Rights @LHR_SA]

"There are no jobs. Before I started mining... I was a gangster; I was a thief. This mine saved me from that life. The government is not giving us jobs, but they have allowed this mine to stay abandoned while people are suffering."

https://t.co/oEcIaYiUJ9

[Lawyers for Human Rights @LHR_SA]

📢 “We cannot become a society where we allow police officers to facilitate the death or the starvation and dehydration of people, regardless of whatever activities they are doing underground.” – LHR's Jessica Lawrence, for @macua_sa. And @SERI_RightsSA's @Nomzamo_Zondo agrees.

[Business and Human Rights Centre @BHRCmedia]

Day 4 of negotiations for a #BindingTreaty on #BizHumanRights began yesterday with discussions on Article 8 – Legal liability, followed by negotiations on Articles 9-11 on jurisdiction, statute of limitations & applicable law. Catch up on the whole day 📨 https://t.co/gXu7ASNJb4

[Omar Shakir @OmarSShakir]

On heels of @amnesty report on genocide in Gaza, new 179 @hrw report finds that Israel has inflicted conditions of life in Gaza calculated to destroy Palestinians—amounting to the crime against humanity of extermination & acts of genocide. Consensus grows. https://t.co/60dBiRXkXf

[Business and Human Rights Centre @BHRCmedia]

Catch up on yesterday's discussions at the 10th session of negotiations on the #BindingTreaty on #BizHumanRights! Yesterday focused on Article 6 - prevention, and Article 7 - Access to Remedy.

These updates brought to you by @LHR_SA & BHRRC 📨 https://t.co/b9bFgJ6hJm

[Business and Human Rights Centre @BHRCmedia]

Yesterday's #BindingTreaty discussions began with comments on Article 4 - Rights of Victims, followed by discussion of Article 5 - Protection of Victims.

Stay tuned for our recap every day this week with @LHR_SA 📨 https://t.co/meaeZYrYs7 #BizHumanRights