Lawyers For Human Rights

14/10/2026

📢 UN Binding Treaty Negotiations | Day 2 Update | 13 October

Can international trade and investment agreements take precedence over human rights? Who should be held accountable when business activities contribute to human rights abuses, and who gets recognised as a victim with a right to justice?

These questions were central to the second day of the 12th session of the UN Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group negotiating a proposed legally binding instrument on business and human rights in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Business and Human Rights Centre, in partnership with Lawyers for Human Rights, has published its Day 2 Daily Update, covering negotiations on the relationship between the proposed treaty and other international agreements, the powers of a future treaty committee, business activities in conflict affected areas, and the definition of victims.

A significant debate centred on Article 14, which addresses consistency with international law. South Africa, alongside Brazil, Uruguay, Costa Rica and Palestine, supported retaining provisions intended to ensure that human rights obligations are not undermined by trade and investment agreements. Civil society organisations also called for stronger safeguards to protect communities from environmental harm and the effects of investment agreements, particularly in the Global South.

Discussions on business activities in conflict affected areas raised further questions about the obligations of States and businesses to identify, prevent and mitigate human rights risks. Delegates and civil society organisations debated whether due diligence alone is sufficient, whether certain business activities linked to human rights abuses should be prohibited, and how companies should responsibly disengage when serious risks arise.

The negotiations also examined undue business influence over public decision making and the proposed definition of a “victim”. These discussions matter because corporate accountability depends not only on recognising harm, but also on ensuring that affected individuals and communities have meaningful opportunities to seek justice and effective remedies.

The stakes are significant. The treaty must do more than establish principles. It must help address gaps in accountability, strengthen access to justice across borders and ensure that the pursuit of profit does not come at the expense of human rights!

🔗 Read the full Day 2 Update:

https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/day-2-tuesday-13-october/

14/10/2026

📢 Claiming African Citizenship: Collective Action to End Statelessness in Africa

On 9 October, Lawyers for Human Rights joined civil society organisations, human rights defenders and advocates at the NGO Forum of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Dakar, Senegal, for a discussion on advancing the right to a nationality and ending statelessness across Africa.

Convened by the Pan African Nationality Network (PANN), together with the Southern African Nationality Network (SANN), Eastern Africa Nationality Network (EANN), Hawiati, the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA), UNHCR and the Global Alliance to End Statelessness, the side event created space to reflect on the challenges facing people affected by statelessness and the role of African human rights mechanisms in protecting nationality rights.

Discussions explored the significance of the African Union Protocol on the Right to a Nationality and the Eradication of Statelessness in Africa, alongside the practical tools available to civil society to advance its implementation. These include legal empowerment, strategic litigation, coalition building, movement building and regional and international advocacy.

Participants also received the Advocacy Toolkit for Civil Society, developed to support organisations across Africa in advocating for the Protocol and strengthening broader efforts to end statelessness. The toolkit is an important resource for turning regional commitments into collective advocacy and action.

We thank our partners and all participants for their continued commitment to advancing the right to a nationality. We also acknowledge the support of the Global Statelessness Fund in making this work possible.

Read the Advocacy Toolkit for Civil Society here:

https://www.lhr.org.za/lhr-resources/an-advocacy-toolkit-for-civil-society/

As African Human Rights Day approaches on 21 October, we call on civil society organisations, human rights defenders and activists to endorse the joint statement urging the ratification and implementation of the AU Protocol.

📢 Add your voice by 16 October 2026:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jNWvtcv-Fb786Qjkl9DnqVUAFLaxyTuL/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=104164014854640788268&rtpof=true&sd=true

The event was recorded as a webinar, which will be available soon!

13/10/2026

📢 UN Binding Treaty Negotiations | Day 1 Update

The Business & Human Rights Centre, in partnership with Lawyers for Human Rights, has published its Day 1 Daily Update from the 12th session of the UN Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group negotiating a proposed legally binding instrument on business and human rights in Geneva, Switzerland.

The first day of negotiations brought together State delegations and civil society organisations to discuss the draft treaty and proposed revisions to Articles 12, 13 and 14, covering mutual legal assistance, international cooperation and consistency with international law.

These negotiations are critical to strengthening corporate accountability, addressing cross border human rights abuses and ensuring that affected people and communities can access justice and effective remedies.

🔗 Read the full Daily Update: https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/day-1-monday-12-october/

📩 Subscribe to the Binding Treaty LinkedIn newsletter for the latest updates: https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7263187367019044864

12/10/2026

📢 Lawyers for Human Rights congratulates Judge Navi Pillay on the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize 🎉

From defending anti-apartheid activists in South Africa to serving in leading international justice roles, Judge Navanethem “Navi” Pillay has dedicated her life to advancing human rights, accountability and the rule of law.

Her recognition is deeply deserved. At a time when international justice and human rights protections face growing challenges, her life's work reminds us why the fight for justice matters.

For us at Lawyers for Human Rights, this recognition is particularly meaningful. As we approach five decades of advancing human rights and access to justice, we celebrate a pioneering South African jurist whose courage and commitment have helped shape the struggle for justice at home and internationally.

Congratulations, Judge Pillay. Thank you for a lifetime of service to justice and humanity. Your work continues to inspire generations of lawyers, activists and human rights defenders.

Read our full statement below.

Photocred: NewYork Times

12/10/2026

📢 TREATY PRIMER | Can the UN treaty make corporations answer for human rights abuses?

As negotiations move forward in Geneva, a critical question remains: will the proposed UN treaty on business and human rights close the accountability gaps that allow corporations to escape responsibility for human rights abuses?

The 12th session of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group (OEIGWG) takes place at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, from 12 to 22 October 2026, with formal negotiations scheduled for 16 to 22 October 2026.

As States advance negotiations on a legally binding instrument on business and human rights, Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR), the Centre for Applied Legal Studies (CALS), and the Alternative Information and Development Centre (AIDC) have published a joint treaty primer examining critical gaps in the Updated Draft Treaty.

The primer calls for the treaty to affirm the primacy of international human rights law, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, over trade and investment agreements. It also examines why the treaty’s scope should remain focused on transnational business activities, where cross border operations and unequal power relations create serious accountability gaps, particularly in the Global South.

It further highlights the need for stronger provisions on legal liability and human rights due diligence, including safeguards against companies using due diligence as a defence against liability, the reinstatement of parent company and joint liability provisions, and the removal of qualifiers that could allow States to weaken their obligations through domestic law.

The primer also addresses barriers to access to remedy, including the legal doctrine of forum non conveniens, which can prevent affected communities from pursuing justice in cross border cases.

Read the full treaty primer for an analysis of the draft and detailed recommendations for African States and civil society as negotiations continue in Geneva!

11/10/2026

The 5th Annual African Business and Human Rights Forum is underway in Dakar, Senegal!

Under the theme “Realizing the Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment through Responsible Business Conduct,” the Forum will bring together governments, businesses, civil society and affected communities to explore how environmental and human rights protections can be put into practice across Africa.

As part of the programme, SECTION27 Attorneys Thato Gaffane and Asiphe Funda, are part of a session that explores people, planet and progress, advancing the human rights to environment, health and education through regulatory reform and just transition frameworks in Africa.

The conversation will bring together perspectives on environmental rights, responsible business conduct, climate justice and the regulatory frameworks needed to protect communities and advance a just transition.

📅 1 October 2026
⏰ 09:00–10:20
📍 Salle Sénégal 2, Dakar, Senegal

Webber Wentzel Lawyers For Human Rights

02/10/2026

Press Statement: Lawyers for Human Rights proudly celebrates and congratulates our National Director, Nabeelah Mia, on being named among the Mail & Guardian Power of Women 2026 in the Civil Society category. ✨

Nabeelah’s recognition reflects her steadfast commitment to human rights, justice and equality, and her leadership in advancing the rights and dignity of marginalized and vulnerable communities.

We are proud to have her at the helm of LHR and to see her contribution to human rights acknowledged on this important platform.

Read the full press statement:
https://www.lhr.org.za/lhr-news/press-statement-lawyers-for-human-rights-congratulates-national-director-nabeelah-mia-on-being-named-among-the-mail-guardian-power-of-women-2026/

01/10/2026

🚨 Press Statement | Early Child Development Centers Fined for Operating Without Impossible to Obtain Permits

Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) is representing three ECD principals. The matter was postponed on 30 September 2026 to allow LHR to make written representations.

Access to early childhood development should not be undermined by a regulatory system that excludes the very communities it is meant to serve.

Read our full Press Statement: https://www.lhr.org.za/lhr-news/press-statement-early-child-development-centers-fined-for-operating-without-impossible-to-obtain-permits/

01/10/2026

Reminder of this book launch event at Exclusive Books Rosebank this Thursday evening at 18:00 with Lawyers For Human Rights

30/09/2026