A critical look at the European Commission proposals on ISDS

 

The European Commission proposed a number of changes to the current investor-state-dispute settlement (ISDS) system. The Seattle to Brussels network took a closer look at the proposals and concluded that the Commission is spreading the disease instead of looking for a cure:

http://www.s2bnetwork.org/isds-statement

 

ISDS cases against European countries

 

European countries are increasingly being targeted by investors suing for compensation through and ISDS mechanism. This report compiles all publicly available data on ISDS  cases taken against EU member states since 1994. It highlights the irrefutable attack on recent EU accession countries and the environment, as well as the cost this system has already had on EU taxpayers and European democracy.

http://www.foeeurope.org/hidden-cost-eu-trade-deals

 

ISDS in the EU-Canada free trade deal

 

In 2014, Canada and the European Union (EU) announced the conclusion of a far-reaching economic integration agreement, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The agreement includes an ISDS mechanism, which could unleash a corporate litigation boom against Canada, the EU and individual EU member states. This report shows how the ISDS clause in the EU-Canada free trade deals poses a threat to environmental, worker and health protection and eventually to our democracies.

http://www.foeeurope.org/trading-away-democracy-cetas-investor-protection-rules-threaten-public-good-191114

 

Submissions to the EU consultation on ISDS

 

In 2014 the European Commission consulted the public on an ISDS mechanism in TTIP. Both Arbeiterkammer and Friends of the Earth Europe submitted responses to the consultation.
Arbeiterkammer response
http://www.akeuropa.eu/en/no-additional-protection-for-foreign-investors-necessary-ak-participates-in-isds-consultation.html?cmp_id=7&news_id=2136
Friends of the Earth Europe response
http://www.foeeurope.org/contribution-european-commission-consultation-isds-140714

 

Lobby groups defending ISDS

 

ISDS is being heavily criticised for undermining democracy and threatening worker, environmental and health protections. To defend the current ISDS system and protect a profitable business model, law firms that make millions from ISDS cases formed a new lobby group to influence the European debate on ISDS. This briefing takes a closer look at the lobby group and the interests it represents:

http://www.foeeurope.org/lawyers-subverting-public-interest-140415

 

The arbitrators and law firms behind ISDS

 

A report by the Transnational Institute and Corporate Europe Observatory shows how small club of international law firms, arbitrators and financial speculators are fuelling an investment arbitration boom that is costing taxpayers billions of dollars and preventing legislation in the public interest.

http://corporateeurope.org/international-trade/2012/11/profiting-injustice