The Russell Tribunal – London hearings on corporate complicity, 20-22 November
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LONDON SESSION of THE RUSSELL TRIBUNAL on PALESTINE
“Corporate Complicity in Israel’s Violations in International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law”
20-22 November 2010
Registration fee: 15£
Venue: Law Society, Chancery Lane, London WC2A 1PL
Press conference (22 Nov): Amnesty International Human Rights Action Centre
Day One: Saturday 20 November
09:15 Doors Open
10:00 Pr. Pierre Galand (Belgium) will open the London session in the name of the International Organising Committee of the RToP.
Introduction to the Second Session of the Russell Tribunal on Palestine by Ambassador of France Stéphane Hessel (France) and Michael Mansfield QC
(U.K.).
10:15 I. The Legal Framework Relevant to Corporate Conduct
Legal experts, Richard Hermer QC (UK), Yasmine Gado (U.S.A.) and Dr. William Bourdon (France) will set out the tribunal’s legal framework. Each expert will discuss the details of U.K., U.S.A. and French law respectively, their relevance to the application of international law as well as their relevance to this session’s focus upon corporate complicity.
11:30 Coffee Break
11:50 II. Implications of Corporate Activities In and Around Settlements (Part 1)
Dr. Dalit Baum (Israel) and Hugh Lanning (UK) will provide an overview of the issues relating to business practices in relation to settlements and the settlement industry.
Fayez Al Taneeb (Palestine) and Wael Natheef (Palestine) will speak about the direct impact this is having on Palestinians as workers and residents in and around settlements.
13:30 Lunch
14:45 II. Implications of Corporate Activities In and Around Settlements (Part 2)
Adri Nieuwhof (Netherlands), will speak as the lead expert on public contracts regulations and the French multinational, Veolia, and its business practices in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Ghaleb Mashni (Palestine) will offer an account of the impact this has had on Palestinians.
John Dorman (Ireland) will round off the session with an account of the relationships between Cement Roadstone Holdings and the construction of the wall.
15:50 III. Trade and Labelling of Settlement Goods
A Representative from Al Haq (Palestine) will offer an overview of the legal issues relating to the trade and labelling of settlement goods.
16:10 Coffee Break
16:30 Christophe Perrin (France) will follow with an account of the business practices of agricultural producers, Carmel Agrexco.
Nancy Kricorian and Rae Abileah (U.S.A.) will discuss the cosmetics company Ahava and its production of spa products.
Phon Van Den Biesen (Netherlands) will discuss issues relating to labelling of products from Israeli settlements and the day will be closed by Genevieve Coudrais (France), who will speak about Soda Stream.
18:00 End of Day One
Day Two: Sunday 21 November 2010
10:00 Doors Open
Pr. Pierre Galand (Belgium)will open the second day in the name of the International Organising Committee of the RToP.
10:30 IV. Financial Services Sector
Merav Amir (Israel) will offer an overview of both Israeli and international finance companies and their connection to the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
Mario Franssen (Belgium) will speak on the Dexia group.
Saskia Muller (Netherlands) will speak on the PFZW Pension Fund.
11:40 Coffee Break
12:00 V. The Security Industry and the War Industry
An overview of the security industry and the nature of corporate involvement will be set out by John Hilary (U.K.).
Maria LaHood (U.S.A.) will provide information on Caterpillar and the use of its equipment in Israeli military practices.
Josh Ruebner (U.S.A.) will follow with additional information and evidence relating to Caterpillar’s business practices.
Merav Amir and or Dr. Dalit Baum (Israel) will follow with an account of British private security firm G4S.
13:30 Lunch
V. The Security Industry and the War Industry
Shir Hever (Israel) and Jamal Juma’a (Palestine) will speak about Elbit Systems and their role in security practices by the Israeli state.
Paul Troop (U.K.), will discuss recent court cases against UK based arms manufacturing companies EDO ITT and Raytheon.
The final speaker, Ben Hayes (U.K.) will give details relating to EU subsidies to the security industry.
16:10 Break
16:30 Speaking time for corporations**
Wrap up questions
The Tribunal may want to ‘recall’ experts from the session itself or other international legal experts to ask for clarification on legal issues in light of what will have been heard throughout the two days.
Closing
Round up and overview of the two days, what has taken place and the way forward.
17:30 End of Day Two
19:00 The jury withdraws for deliberations
Day Three, Monday 22 November 2010
10:30 Press Conference
The Amnesty International Human Rights Action Centre will host a press conference setting out conclusions from the second session of the RToP.
**All corporations whose business practices will been interrogated during the session have been contacted by registered post and invited to attend the session.