Press release: Government’s “Injustice Bill” prices poor victims of overseas human rights abuses out of the courts
For immediate release
Amendments to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill to safeguard justice for victims of corporate human rights abuses in developing countries were narrowly defeated in the House of Lords yesterday. Crossbench peers had argued that an exemption was needed to make sure than poor communities harmed by UK-based companies could still afford to bring cases to court.
Under the changes in the Bill, success fees and insurance costs will now come out of the damages awarded to the victims, instead of being paid by the transnational company that has lost the case. Damages for these kinds of human rights abuses are typically much lower because they occur in developing countries. Fees and insurance premiums reflect the costs of bringing a court case in the UK. In practice this will mean that for many poor overseas victims it will no longer be financially viable to seek justice.
Anne Lindsay, CAFOD’s lead private sector analyst said: “We don’t understand why the Government has refused to budge - there is no flood of spurious corporate abuse cases. The amendments would not cost the UK taxpayer a penny because these costs would continue to be paid by the losing company. CAFOD is concerned that this new law denies justice to the poorest and most vulnerable in our world and sends a message to irresponsible companies that they can act with impunity.
“The UK has been vocal in its support for the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Right, including access to justice, but actions speak louder than words. This change in the law will substantially reduce or even wipe out any damages that victims receive, pricing poor communities out of our courts.” CAFOD, Amnesty International and Oxfam wrote to the Prime Minister in February highlighting the impact of the proposed reforms on poor victims of corporate human rights abuses and asking for the Bill to be amended.
Note for editors:
For interviews and more information: Pascale Palmer ppalmer@cafod.org.uk 07785 950 585
