Petition text:

The voices of millions of Europeans must no longer be ignored! Say no to corporations having the right to sue states in special courts, whether they are called "ISDS" or "ICS". Please make sure that this is not part of the TTIP and CETA agreements with the US and Canada or any other European trade treaty; not now, nor ever.

Why this is important

Imagine if your government was too afraid to pass laws to protect you or the environment because they could affect the profits of a private corporation. This is exactly what is being planned right now between the US and Europe.

A proposal where businesses can sue our governments in special private courts is on the table. This would make it much easier for businesses to challenge public decisions and could cost us billions. [1]

Over three million Europeans stood up to the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) that included the original proposal for private courts, known as ISDS, but instead of scrapping the proposal, it is just being rebranded. The new version is called ICS. [2] As you read this, EU ministers are being consulted on this new proposal.

Take action, tell the British Minister for Trade and Investment and the European Trade Commissioner to say no to giving businesses the right to sue EU states in special courts.

Background

Imagine millions of taxpayers’ euros being channeled to businesses if EU states decide to stop using nuclear energy or don’t rescue irresponsible banks. Shockingly this is already happening [3] - in fact corporations can already use these special courts in some economic areas and they have already sued European countries for 30 billion euros. [4]

Why should businesses have the right to private courts where they can sue our democracies for unprecedented amounts of money? We, the citizens, go to domestic public courts to resolve our grievances. Profiteering companies must do the same. We won’t be tricked by rounded corners and minor tweaks in this new ICS version.

This campaign is run in partnership with: Akcja Demokracja | Stop TTIP Latvia Campaign | Stop TTIP Slovenia Campaign | Nature Friends Greece

References