Newsletter on Non-Judical Grievance Mechanisms

SOMO’s Human Rights & Grievance Mechanisms Programme is a four-year project. The March 2014 newsletter highlights specific cases addressing corporate misconduct and adverse human rights impacts, and updates on policies and procedures relating to various grievance mechanisms. Furthermore you read about the latest additions to the website www.grievancemechanisms.org.

The HRGM-project is continuing to develop the website, which now contains a News section(opens in new window) , featuring all the latest developments on grievance mechanisms and cases, such as press releases, statements, complaints filed, outcomes of complaints, etc.
New videos have been added to the Resources section(opens in new window) , including an introduction to human rights and the United Nations Human Rights system, as well as a video of a panel on non-judicial grievance mechanisms at December’s UN Forum on Business and Human Rights, featuring SOMO.

Filing complaints

In January 2014, a group of Liberians filed a complaint with the Office of Accountability at the US Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), one of the financiers of Buchanan Renewables, which SOMO has been investigated before. Several days after the complaint was filed, OPIC committed to conducting an independent review of the impacts of its investment in Buchanan Renewables. Another interesting item in this Newsletter: The Dutch and German development banks, FMO and DEG, have created a new shared grievance mechanism called the Independent Complaints Mechanism, which came into force in February 2014. Additionally, the Newsletter highlights developments in the World Bank Inspection Panel, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the NCPs. Read more in the Newsletter on Non-Judical Grievance Mechanisms(opens in new window) .