Talk:Sherpa (association)

Adding info about Sherpa / Draft Page

I would like to add information about Sherpa and cases link to the NGO, however as I have a conflict of interest (working for the charity) - could it be possible to review information and references I would like to add before publishing? Should I create a draft page and share it here? Many thanks DorineSherpa (talk) 13:19, 28 April 2023 (UTC)

I would like to add the information below to the page (references and link will be added properly).

Request edit

== Illicit financial flows and Predation practices on resources == === Corruption === ==== Sarkozy and others ==== Since 2011, Sherpa has denounced the problematic nature of economic relations between France and Gaddafi’s Libyan regime (ref to include: https://www.asso-sherpa.org/france-libya-case-sarkozys-campaign-transnational-grand-corruption). Sherpa first filed a complaint against Amesys­­­ (ref to include:https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2039175/Gadaffi-evading-capture-Mercedes-4x4-given-Nicolas-Sarkozy.html) regarding the selling of monitoring equipment to the Libyan government. In February 20211, Sherpa filed a second complaint against several members of the Gaddafi clan (ref to include: https://jp.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-55168920110225) to investigate the origin of their assets held in France. Following Mediapart’s revelations during the Sarkozy-Gaddafi affair, a judicial investigation was opened in April 2013 (ref to include: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/16/former-french-president-sarkozy-charged-over-libyan-financing). In June 2013, Sherpa filed a civil action (ref to include: https://www.marie-dose-avocat.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/sherpa-afp-sarkozy-campagne-bourdon-marie-dose-avocat-300913.pdf). In addition, the case exposed acts of corruption linked to the French company Airbus. They were settled by a Judicial Convention of Public Interest (CJIP), the French equivalent of a criminal transaction, concluded between the company and the Parquet national financier (ref to include: https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20221201-aviation-giant-airbus-settles-%E2%82%AC16-million-fine-to-halt-corruption-investigation). This agreement was subsequently denounced by Sherpa as “another illustration of the longstanding tendency to resort to negotiated justice in corruption” (ref to include: https://www.asso-sherpa.org/sarkozy-libya-airbus-corruption-cases-face-negotiated-justice). ==== Dassault – Rafales deal ==== Following a complaint to the Parquet national financier and after more revelation from Mediapart (ref to include: https://www.mediapart.fr/en/journal/international/160123/rafale-papers-how-frances-anti-corruption-agency-covered-aviation-firm-dassault) of suspicions of political obstructions to investigate one of french biggest defense company Sherpa filed a civil complaint in April2021 requesting a judicial investigation into the sale of 36 combat aircraft by Dassault Aviation to India in 2016 (ref to include: https://theprint.in/defence/french-ngo-files-corruption-complaint-against-rafale-deal/153953/ and https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/interview/strong-case-for-investigating-rafale-deal-in-france-says-lawyer-for-complainant-asso-sherpa). As a result of Sherpa complaint, a judicial investigation was opened in July 2021 (ref to include:https://www.mediapart.fr/en/journal/international/020721/rafale-papers-france-opens-judicial-probe-fighter-deal-india-new-revelations-emerge?_locale=en). === Ill-gotten gains === ==== French asset’s restitution mechanism ==== In the wake of its fight against ill-gotten gains, Sherpa advocated actively for the ill-gotten gains restitution mechanism adopted by France in July 2021 (ref to include: https://www.u4.no/blog/the-ill-gotten-gains-french-model-for-restitution and https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/france-adopts-bill-allowing-return-of-ill-gotten-assets/2162701). ==== Ill-gotten gains - Equatorial Guinea – Gabon – Congo ==== In March 2007, Sherpa together with Survie and the Congolese Diaspora Federation filed an ill-gotten gains complaint against 5 heads of African governments, including Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, Denis Sassou Nguesso, and Omar Bongo (ref to include : https://www.occrp.org/en/daily/14940-france-upholds-graft-ruling-against-equatorial-guinea-s-vp and https://www.mediapart.fr/en/journal/international/120215/ill-gotten-gains-french-police-found-congo-ruling-clans-penthouse?_locale=en&onglet=full and https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/feb/06/france-africa-autocrats-corruption-inquiry). Following Sherpa complaint, after 15 years of legal battle, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue was convicted by the French justice on 28th July 2021 for the illegal constitution of a luxurious estate (ref: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210728-french-court-to-rule-on-illegal-assets-of-e-guinea-president-son). In the case of Omar Bongo, several members of the Bongo family were indicted in 2022 (ref: https://www.africanews.com/2022/07/29/france-charges-5-more-children-of-ex-gabonese-leader-bongo-over-ill-gotten-assets/). ==== Ill-gotten gains - Syria ==== In July 2011, Sherpa and Transparency International France filed a complaint targeting the movable and immovable properties held in France by Riffat al-Assad, uncle of Bashar al-Assad, and some twenty people (ref: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-syria-idUSTRE76P4XW20110726 and https://www.asso-sherpa.org/ill-gotten-gains-in-syria-rifaat-al-assad). This complaint was first dismissed, but two new civil actions were filed by the NGO in September 2013 and April 2014 against Rifaat al-Assad for “concealment of stolen assets, corruption, and aggravated money laundering by organized groups” (ref: https://uncaccoalition.org/ill-gotten-gains-the-rifaat-al-assad-case-interview-with-laura-rousseau-sherpa/). As a result of Sherpa and Transparency International work, Rifaat al-Assad was indicted in June 2016 (ref:https://www.lemonde.fr/syrie/article/2016/06/28/rifaat-al-assad-un-proche-du-president-syrien-mis-en-examen-a-paris_4959691_1618247.html). Rifaat Al-Assad was sentenced to 4 years of prison and ordered to forfeit his French real estate assets worth an estimated 90 million euros in December 2019. This sentence was confirmed by the Court of Appeal of Paris in June 2021 (ref:https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210909-french-court-sentences-rifaat-al-assad-bashar-s-uncle-to-4-years-in-prison-for-financial-crime) and by the Court of Cassation on September 7, 2022 (ref: https://www.samaaenglish.tv/news/40016557) . Sherpa further denounced to conditions that allowed Rifaat al Asad to flee to Syria and therefore avoid his conviction and imprisonment(ref: https://www.asso-sherpa.org/rifaat-al-assad-sentenced-in-france-for-his-ill-gotten-gains-allegedly-fled-to-syria). === Tax havens and money laundering === ==== Ill-gotten gains - Lebanon ==== Sherpa and the Collective of Victims of Fraudulent and Criminal Practices in Lebanon filed a complaint against X in April 2021 alleging money laundering and exposing suspicious circumstances involving the acquisition of luxury real estate on French territory by Lebanese officials (ref: https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1261317/victims-of-financial-collapse-in-lebanon-resort-to-the-french-courts.html). In June 2021, the Parquet National Financier opened an investigation that specifically targeted Riad Salamé, the governor of the Banque du Liban (ref: https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20210606-france-opens-probe-into-personal-wealth-of-lebanon-s-central-bank-chief). A similar complaint was also filed with the Luxembourg public prosecutor because the case involved complex arrangements involving Luxembourg-based entities, and lead to the opening of an investigation on December 22 (ref: https://www.occrp.org/en/daily/15490-luxembourg-opens-criminal-case-into-lebanon-s-central-bank-governor). ==== BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Natixis, CIC, Rivage Investment, Malta ==== Daphne Caruana Galizia, a Maltese journalist, was murdered in October 2017 while investigating a corruption scandal (ref: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63261744). The Maltese police investigation revealed that Yorgen Fenech, director and shareholder of the company Electrogas, was suspected of being the mastermind behind the murder (ref: https://forbiddenstories.org/the-unswept-corners-of-daphnes-murder/). In September 2020, Sherpa and the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation requested the Parquet national financier to open an investigation into BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Natixis, CIC and Rivage Investment involving a loan agreement to Electrogas (ref: https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/zero-tolerance-for-corruption-ngo-sherpa.825022, and https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/france-criminal-complaint-filed-against-four-banks-and-one-investment-fund-for-complicity-in-corrupt-deal-linked-to-murder-of-journalist-in-2017/ and https://www.daphne.foundation/en/2020/10/05/french-banks). == Protecting Civic Space == === Protecting Whistle-blowers and Fighting SLAPP === In 2018, Sherpa co-founded with other organisations la Maison des Lanceurs d’Alerte (MLA) (ref: https://mlalerte.org/les-organisations-membres-de-la-maison-des-lanceurs-dalerte/), which provides daily support to whistle-blowers, and carries out actions to raise awareness and mobilise both political decision-makers and public opinion (ref: https://whistleblowingnetwork.org/Membership/Our-Members/Members/Maison-des-Lanceurs-d-alerte). The NGO is also involved in the fight against Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), which are lawsuits used by companies to threaten and harass human rights defenders, journalists, activists, NGOs, whistle-blowers, and other actors committed to denouncing their harmful practices (ref:https://whistleblowingnetwork.org/Our-Work/Spotlight/Stories/Ending-Gag-Lawsuits-in-Europe). Sherpa is an active member of the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE) created in 2021 (ref:https://www.the-case.eu/) as a reaction to Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder. This coalition includes more than 30 associations and calls for the adoption of an EU directive against SLAPPs (ref: https://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/lawmakers-to-start-work-on-anti-slapp-stakeholders-warn-just-first-step/). === Corporate opacity and Business secrecy === Sherpa is actively advocating for the consecration and protection of a right of access to corporate information, to promote further transparency: the NGO denounced specifically the extensive use of business secrecy, tax secrecy, and banking secrecy which contributes to the overall opacity of the industry. In 2018, Sherpa together with journalists and other organisations called for the rejection of the transposition of a European directive allowing business secrecy (ref: https://stoptradesecrets.eu/ and https://informernestpasundelit.org/category/secret-des-affaires/) === Facilitating legal action by associations === Sherpa also works to identify and fight threats faced by NGOs that limit their actions in the legal field (ref: https://www.asso-sherpa.org/decryptage-la-recevabilite-de-laction-associative-devant-les-juridictions-penales-en-question). Additionally, Sherpa has been denouncing the obstacles that French associations face in obtaining the ministerial approvals necessary to take legal actions in corruption cases (ref: https://blogs.mediapart.fr/association-sherpa/blog/210319/qui-veut-empecher-sherpa-dagir-contre-la-corruption and https://www.politis.fr/articles/2021/01/lutte-contre-la-corruption-priere-de-ne-pas-deranger-42735/) == Compelling multinationals to respect human and environmental rights== === Civil Liability of Parent Companies === ==== Duty of vigilance ==== Sherpa was a key player in the adoption of the 2017 law on the corporate duty of vigilance : It requires French companies to establish, publish and effectively implement adapted measures to identify risks and prevent severe human rights abuses, fundamental freedoms, the health and safety of individuals, and the environment (ref: https://vigilance-plan.org/the-law/,and https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/business-and-human-rights-journal/article/french-law-on-duty-of-care-a-historic-step-towards-making-globalization-work-for-all/7C85F4E2B2F7DD1E1397FC8EFCFE9BDD, and https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/france-leads-eu-on-duty-of-care-requirements-for-multinationals/, and https://www.business-humanrights.org/fr/blog/what-lessons-does-frances-duty-of-vigilance-law-have-for-other-national-initiatives/). Following the adoption of the law, Sherpa and CCFD Terre Solidaire published the duty of vigilance radar (ref: https://www.business-humanrights.org/fr/derni%C3%A8res-actualit%C3%A9s/sherpa-releases-new-guidance-legal-analysis-on-french-duty-of-vigilance-law/). Since the adoption of the French law, Sherpa is contributing to discussions around a futur european law (ref: https://parisgoodfashion.fr/en/news/duty-of-care-european-parliament-calls-for-tighter-supervision-of-companies-152/ and https://www.asso-sherpa.org/focus-on-can-the-proposed-european-directive-on-the-duty-of-vigilance-close-the-corporate-accountability-gap). Sherpa is a member of the Citizen’s Forum for Corporate Social Responsibility (ref: http://forumcitoyenpourlarse.org/le-fcrse/liste-membres/) and represents it within the European Coalition for Corporate Justice, a coalition of civil society organisations from all over Europe working on business and human rights, corporate accountability, and corporate social responsibility (ref: https://corporatejustice.org/members/). ==== Casino / Yves Rocher / Téléperformance ==== In 2019, following a report by UNI Global Union, Sherpa and the union federation put the company Téléperformance on notice to comply with its duty of vigilance regarding human rights (ref: https://www.asso-sherpa.org/sherpa-and-uni-global-union-send-formal-notice-to-teleperformance-calling-on-the-world-leader-in-call-centers-to-strengthen-workers-rights-2) . In March 2021, Sherpa, alongside several Brazilian and Colombian indigenous peoples’ organisations (COIAB, CPT, FEIPA, FEPOIMT et OPIAC), and international NGOs (Canopée, Envol Vert, France Nature Environnement, Mighty Earth, Notre Affaire à Tous) sued the Casino group under the duty of vigilance law (ref: https://www.rfi.fr/en/business/20210304-french-supermarket-giant-casino-sued-over-links-to-amazon-deforestation-south-america-environment-indigenous-people-economy). The company was accused of sourcing from beef-producing farms at risk of deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, illegal land grabbing of indigenous territories, and forced labour. In March 2022, Sherpa, Actionaid, the Turkish syndicate Petrol-Is, and 34 former employees of the Turkish subsidiary sued Yves Rocher group for failing to comply with its duty of vigilance regarding the freedom to join a union and workers’ fundamental rights. (ref: https://www.asso-sherpa.org/yves-rocher-case-turkey and https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/turkey-yves-rocher-the-french-cosmetics-company-facing-court-proceedings-for-failure-to-ensure-workers-rights-and-trade-union-rights/) === Environnement === ==== TotalEnergies ==== In January 2020, Sherpa, alongside 14 local authorities, Notre Affaire à Tous, ZEA, Eco Maires, and France Nature Environnement, brought an action against TotalEnergies. Using the law on the duty of vigilance, the coalition requested that the judge order the oil company to take the necessary measures to comply with the objectives of the Paris Agreement (ref:https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidrvetter/2020/01/30/this-french-lawsuit-is-making-oil-companies-nervous/). The tribunal first ruled in favour of the NGOs and local authorities in February 2021 by confirming the jurisdiction, rejecting the oil major’s attempt to bring the dispute before the commercial court .Other local authorities joined the judicial procedure in September 2022, including the cities of Paris and New York (ref: https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/paris-new-york-join-climate-litigation-against-totalenergies-2022-09-21/). ==== Perenco ==== In July 2019, Sherpa and Friends of the Earth France filed an action against the French company Perenco S.A. regarding its oil activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The NGOs sought to obtain additional evidence on the relations between Perenco S.A. and companies operating locally in the DRC through the use of a specific legal tool (article 145 of the French Code of Civil Procedure) (ref: https://climate-laws.org/geographies/france/litigation_cases/amis-de-la-terre-and-sherpa-v-perenco). The Cour of Cassation ruled in favour of Sherpa and Friends of the Earth France in March 2022 (ref: https://www.africabusinessplus.com/en/811414/sherpas-advisers-win-legal-battle-to-access-information-in-case-against-perenco-in-drc/). A complementary claim was then filed in November 2022 by Sherpa and Friends of the Earth France with the support of the NGO Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA-US) requiring Perenco S.A. to remedy harm caused to the environment in Democratic Republic of Congo (ref: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/dec/29/why-environmental-disaster-victims-are-looking-to-european-courts). === Corporate Capture === Sherpa also seeks to counter the influence strategies of multinationals and corporate capture. The NGO denounces the growing influence of corporations in a number of areas such as: on public opinion, in policy-making and standard setting, as well as on the corporate standards they must meet (ref: https://www.asso-sherpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/RA_EN_2021_Sherpa.pdf). In 2022, the NGOs published recommendations on the adoption of a harder legal framework on lobbying (ref: https://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2022/09/21/lobbying-une-regulation-s-impose-pour-retablir-l-equilibre-du-debat-public-et-faire-primer-l-interet-general_6142555_3232.html) and formulated suggestions seeking to avoid the use of private consultancies in public policy making (ref: https://www.asso-sherpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Sherpa-octobre-2022-Pour-une-reponse-legislative-proportionnee-a-lampleur-des-strategies-dinfluence-deployees-par-les-entreprises.pdf). Sherpa filed two complaints for deceptive business practices against Samsung France in 2013 (ref: https://www.mediapart.fr/en/journal/france/050719/samsung-faces-charges-france-over-misleading-foreign-labour-claims?_locale=en) and Auchan supermarket in 2015 (ref: https://www.thelocal.fr/20140425/bangladesh-french-retailer-faces-lawsuit-over-disaster). In the Samsung case, the company’s indictment was dismissed in March 2022, on the grounds of lack of admissibility of the NGOs (ref: https://www.asso-sherpa.org/samsung-case-on-deceptive-commercial-practices-grounds-french-supreme-court-confirms-inadmissibility-of-the-csos-claim). The Auchan case followed 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse in light of the labels of the In Extenso brand belonging to the Auchan group found in the rubbles (ref: https://www.newsmax.com/finance/markets/bangladesh-disaster-textile-deaths/2014/04/24/id/567495/). The dismissal of the case was confirmed in December 2022 (ref: https://www.asso-sherpa.org/auchan-bangladesh-fairwashing-case-dismissed) === Protecting workers' rights === ==== Bolloré – Socapalm ==== Sherpa and several associations filed a complaint before the OECD French National Contact Point (NCP) at the end of 2010 regarding the activities of Socapalm - SOCFIN Cameroonian palm plantation company linked to the group Bolloré - concerning social, environmental and land issues denounced by neighbouring communities and workers (ref: https://www.oecdwatch.org/complaint/sherpa-et-al-vs-bollore/).The NCP mediation led to an action plan for Socapalm (ref: https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/tresor-international/pcn-france/circonstance-specifique-groupes-bollore-et-socfin-socapalm-au-cameroun). As the plan remained unexecuted by the company (ref: https://www.tresor.economie.gouv.fr/Institutionnel/Niveau3/Pages/bd7a00fc-6949-450b-bc40-aa09ac044ab0/files/30708f1f-c4d6-4916-b3ce-3d4fccd67547), Sherpa and other organisations took Bolloré to court to request for a forced execution of the action plan (ref: https://www.ft.com/content/f6364426-8061-11e9-9935-ad75bb96c849). The case has been ongoing for years despite numerous procedural wins by the associations (ref: https://www.oecdwatch.org/hardening-soft-law-strategic-use-of-the-oecd-guidelines-to-achieve-meaningful-outcomes/). ==== Vinci - Qatar ==== In March 2015, Sherpa filed, against Vinci Construction Grands Projets and the French executives of its Qatari subsidiary a complaint alleging reduction to servitude and forced labor, among other complaints, on construction sites in Qatar (ref: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/26/france-vinci-construction-qatar-forced-labour-claims-2022-world-cup). Sherpa and the French Comité contre l’Esclavage Moderne (Committee Against Modern Slavery) alongside former Indian and Nepalese construction workers filed a complaint in 2019 (ref: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-vinci-qatar-idUSKCN1NR1LF) following a previous dismissal in 2018 (ref: https://www.asso-sherpa.org/vinci-case-qatar). In November 2022, Vinci Construction Grands Projets was indicted for “obtention of services in exchange for remuneration that is clearly unrelated to the importance of the work performed”, “reduction to servitude”, “submission to working and housing conditions incompatible with human dignity” (ref: https://edition.cnn.com/2022/11/10/football/world-cup-2022-vinci-qatar-spt-intl/index.html). Following this procedure, Vinci sued Sherpa for defamation and infringement of presumption of innocence (ref: https://www.mindthegap.ngo/harmful-strategies/undermining-defenders-communities/filing-lawsuits-to-intimidate-critics/case-study-slapp-suits-against-sherpa-by-vinci-construction/). Sherpa prevailed on the matter of presumption of innocence (ref: https://www.doctrine.fr/d/CA/Paris/2017/C78E200EDBFC560F8577A). The defamation case is currently on-hold, and should be adjudicated when the investigations that have been ongoing following the complaint are over (ref: https://www.batiactu.com/edito/chantiers-au-qatar-proces-diffamation-vinci-contre-45466.php). === International crimes and armed conflicts === ==== Multinationals involvement in armed conflicts ==== In November 2016, Sherpa, the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), and eleven Syrian former employees of Lafarge filed a complaint against the company Lafarge, including its Syrian subsidiary Lafarge Cement Syria (LCS) and former executives (ref: https://apnews.com/article/47f09a48ba304c92a321e77dc9996e03). Lafarge is accused of having transferred up to 13 million euros to various armed groups, including the Islamic State, to continue to maintain its activities in the region. In June 2018, Lafarge SA was charged with complicity in crimes against humanity, financing a terrorist organization, embargo violating an embargo”, and endangering the lives of its Syrian employees (ref: https://www.novethic.com/csr/isr-rse/lafarge-charged-with-complicity-in-crimes-against-humanity-146046.html). Several former executives were also charged (ref: https://syriadirect.org/french-multinational-company-lafarge-to-face-charges-of-complicity-in-crimes-against-humanity-a-crack-in-corporate-impunity/). The case is still ongoing (ref: https://www.justiceinfo.net/en/103141-lafarge-judicial-twists-and-turns-corporate-liability-france.html). In June 2017, a complaint was filed by Sherpa, the Collective of Civil Parties for Rwanda and Ibuka France, against BNP Paribas in relation to the financing of arms purchases for Rwanda’s genocidal government. The French bank is alleged to be complicit in genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, (ref: https://www.reuters.com/article/rwanda-bnp-paribas-lawsuit-idUSL8N1JQ28V) Following the complaint, a judicial investigation was opened in August 2017 (ref: https://www.ft.com/content/25abe656-a1f3-11e7-9e4f-7f5e6a7c98a2). Sherpa also called upon Voltalia in May 2020 regarding its relations with a company linked to the Burmese junta (ref: https://www.liberation.fr/planete/2020/05/25/les-liaisons-dangereuses-du-francais-voltalia-avec-la-birmanie_1789332/). Under pressure, Voltalia announced in March 2021 that it would cease its operations in Burma (ref: https://www.justiceformyanmar.org/press-releases/info-birmanie-justice-for-myanmar-reporters-without-borders-and-sherpa-welcome-the-withdrawal-of-voltalia-after-a-year-of-discussions). In June 2022, Sherpa, Mwatana for Human Rights, and the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights filed a complaint against Dassault Aviation, Thales, and MBDA France alleging their complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Yemeni conflict (ref: https://www.rfi.fr/en/international/20220602-rights-groups-accuse-french-arms-makers-of-war-crimes-complicity-in-yemen). Sherpa also participated in an appeal before the Conseil d’État to seek the suspension of arms export licences to countries implicated in the Yemeni conflict[10] in November 2019 (ref: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03932729.2021.1876862). The Conseil d’État rejected the appeal in January 2023 (ref: https://blogs.mediapart.fr/sebastien-nadot/blog/280123/yemen-quils-meurent-dans-lallegresse-de-linjustice-francaise). ==== International crimes in the fashion retail industry ==== In April 2021, Sherpa, with the Collectif Ethique sur l’étiquette, the European Uyghur Institute, and a Uyghur woman, filed a complaint against Inditex, Uniqlo, SMCP, and Skechers for concealment of forced labor and crimes against humanity (ref: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/02/fashion/xinjiang-forced-labor-Zara-Uniqlo-Sketchers.html). These companies are suspected to sell products manufactured, in whole or in part, in factories where Uyghurs are allegedly subjected to forced labour. As a result, an investigation for concealment of crimes against humanity was opened in June 2021 (ref: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/02/france-investigates-fashion-brands-over-forced-uyghur-labour-claims), and closed in April 2023 (ref: https://www.voanews.com/a/fashion-groups-face-new-uyghur-forced-labor-complaint-in-france/7097739.html). A second complaint was issued in May 2023 against the same companies (ref: https://www.voanews.com/a/fashion-groups-face-new-uyghur-forced-labor-complaint-in-france/7097739.html) == Funding == Sherpa operates with grants from French and international private foundations. The NGO is supported in part by the Foundation Charles Léopold Meyer pour le Progrès de l’Homme, as well as the French Development Agency, Open Society Foundations, Humanity United, Ford Foundation, Freedom Fund, File Foundation, Wellsprings (ref: https://www.asso-sherpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/RA_EN_2021_Sherpa.pdf), Sherpa also benefits from individual donors (ref: https://www.asso-sherpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Audited-accounts-2020-French.pdf). References

DorineSherpa (talk) 15:00, 24 May 2023 (UTC)

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• Your edit request could not be implemented because the provided references are not formatted correctly. The citation style predominantly used by the Sherpa (association) article is Citation Style 1 (CS1). The citation style used in the edit request consists of bare URL's. Any requested edit of yours which may be implemented will need to resemble the current style already in use in the article – in this case, CS1. (See WP:CITEVAR.) In the extended section below titled Citation style, I have illustrated two examples: one showing how the edit request was submitted, and another showing how requests should be submitted in the future:

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Bare URL reference formatting: The Sun's diameter is 864,337 miles, while the Moon's diameter is 2,159 miles. The Sun's temperature is 5,778 Kelvin. References 1. https://www.booksource.com 2. http://www.journalsource.com 3. http://www.websource.com In the example above there are three URL's provided with the claim statements, but these URL's have not been placed using Citation Style 1, which is the style predominantly used by the Sherpa (association) article. Using this style, the WikiFormatted text should resemble the following: Citation Style 1 formatting: The Sun's diameter is 864,337 miles,<ref>{{cite book|last1=Sjöblad|first1=Tristan|title=The Sun|url=http://www.booksource.com|publisher=Academic Press|date=2020|page=1}}</ref> while the Moon's diameter is 2,159 miles.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Harinath|first1=Prisha|title=Size of the Moon|journal=Science|issue=78|volume=51|url=http://www.journalsource.com|date=2020|page=46}}</ref> The Sun's temperature is 5,778 Kelvin.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Uemura|first1=Shu|title=The Sun's Heat|url=http://www.websource.com|publisher=Academic Press|date=2020|page=2}}</ref> Which displays as: The Sun's diameter is 864,337 miles, while the Moon's diameter is 2,159 miles. The Sun's temperature is 5,778 Kelvin. References In the example above the references have been formatted according to Citation Style 1, which shows the author, the source's name, date, etc., all information which is lost when only the links are provided. As Wikipedia is a volunteer project, edit requests such as yours are generally expected to have this formatting done before the request is submitted for review.

Kindly resubmit the edit request below at your earliest convenience, taking care to ensure that it makes use of CS1. If you have any questions about this formatting please don't hesitate to ask myself or another editor. Regards,  Spintendo  19:40, 30 June 2023 (UTC)

Notes

References

• What I think should be changed (include citations):

Illicit financial flows and Predation practices on resources

Corruption

Sarkozy and others

Edit request

Since 2011, Sherpa has denounced the problematic nature of economic relations between France and Muammar Gaddafi’s Libyan regime . Sherpa first filed a complaint against Amesys regarding the selling of monitoring equipment to the Libyan government. In February 20211, Sherpa filed a second complaint against several members of the Gaddafi clan to investigate the origin of their assets held in France. Following Mediapart'’s revelations during the 'Sarkozy-Gaddafi affair, a judicial investigation was opened in April 2013 . In June 2013, Sherpa filed a civil action . In addition, the case exposed acts of corruption linked to the French company Airbus. They were settled by a Judicial Convention of Public Interest (CJIP), the French equivalent of a criminal transaction, concluded between the company and the Parquet national financier.This agreement was subsequently denounced by Sherpa as “another illustration of the longstanding tendency to resort to negotiated justice in corruption” Dassault – Rafales deal Following a complaint to the Parquet national financier and after more revelation from Mediapart of suspicions of political obstructions to investigate one of french biggest defense company Sherpa filed a civil complaint in April 2021 requesting a judicial investigation into the sale of 36 combat aircraft by Dassault Aviation to India in 2016 . As a result of Sherpa complaint, a judicial investigation was opened in July 2021 Ill-gotten gains French asset’s restitution mechanism In the wake of its fight against ill-gotten gains, Sherpa advocated actively for the ill-gotten gains restitution mechanism adopted by France in July 2021 Ill-gotten gains - Equatorial Guinea – Gabon – Congo In March 2007, Sherpa together with Survie and the Congolese Diaspora Federation filed an ill-gotten gains complaint against 5 heads of African governments, including Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, Denis Sassou Nguesso, and Omar Bongo . Following Sherpa complaint, after 15 years of legal battle, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue was convicted by the French justice on 28 July 2021 for the illegal constitution of a luxurious estate . In the case of Omar Bongo, several members of the Bongo family were indicted in 2022 . Ill-gotten gains - Syria In July 2011, Sherpa and Transparency International France filed a complaint targeting the movable and immovable properties held in France by Riffat al-Assad, uncle of Bashar al-Assad, and some twenty people . This complaint was first dismissed, but two new civil actions were filed by Sherpa in September 2013 and April 2014 against Rifaat al-Assad for “concealment of stolen assets, corruption, and aggravated money laundering by organized groups” . As a result of Sherpa and Transparency International work, Rifaat al-Assad was sentenced to 4 years of prison and ordered to forfeit his French real estate assets worth an estimated 90 million euros in December 2019. This sentence was confirmed by the Court of Appeal of Paris in June 2021 and by the Court of Cassation (France) on September 7, 2022 Tax havens and money laundering Ill-gotten gains - Lebanon Sherpa and the Collective of Victims of Fraudulent and Criminal Practices in Lebanon filed a complaint against X in April 2021 alleging money laundering and exposing suspicious circumstances involving the acquisition of luxury real estate on French territory by Lebanese officials . In June 2021, the Parquet national financier opened an investigation that specifically targeted Riad Salameh, the governor of the Banque du Liban. A similar complaint was also filed with the Luxembourg public prosecutor because the case involved complex arrangements involving Luxembourg-based entities, and lead to the opening of an investigation on December 22 . BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Natixis, CIC, Rivage Investment, Malta Daphne Caruana Galizia, a Maltese journalist, was murdered in October 2017 while investigating a corruption scandal . The Maltese police investigation revealed that Yorgen Fenech, director and shareholder of the company Electrogas, was suspected of being the mastermind behind the murder . In September 2020, Sherpa and the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation requested the Parquet national financier' to open an investigation into BNP Paribas, Société Générale, Natixis, CIC and Rivage Investment involving a loan agreement to Electrogas Protecting Civic Space Protecting Whistle-blowers and Fighting SLAPP In 2018, Sherpa co-founded with other organisations la Maison des Lanceurs d’Alerte (MLA) , which provides daily support to whistleblowers, and carries out actions to raise awareness and mobilise both political decision-makers and public opinion. The NGO is also involved in the fight against Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPPs), which are lawsuits used by companies to threaten and harass human rights defenders, journalists, activists, NGOs, whistleblowers, and other actors committed to denouncing their harmful practices . Sherpa is an active member of the Coalition Against SLAPPs in Europe (CASE) created in 2021 as a reaction to Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder. . Corporate opacity and Business secrecy Sherpa is actively advocating for the consecration and protection of a right of access to corporate information, to promote further transparency: the NGO denounced specifically the extensive use of business secrecy, tax secrecy, and banking secrecy which contributes to the overall opacity of the industry. In 2018, Sherpa together with journalists and other organisations called for the rejection of the transposition of a European directive allowing business secrecy . Facilitating legal action by associations Sherpa also works to identify and fight threats faced by NGOs that limit their actions in the legal field . Additionally, Sherpa has been denouncing the obstacles that French associations face in obtaining the ministerial approvals necessary to take legal actions in corruption cases . Compelling multinationals to respect human and environmental rights Civil Liability of Parent Companies Duty of vigilance Sherpa was a key player in the adoption of the 2017 law on the corporate duty of vigilance, or duty of care: It requires French companies to establish, publish and effectively implement adapted measures to identify risks and prevent severe human rights abuses, fundamental freedoms, the health and safety of individuals, and the environment . Following the adoption of the law, Sherpa and CCFD Terre Solidaire published the duty of vigilance radar . Since the adoption of the French law, Sherpa is contributing to discussions around a futur european law . Sherpa is a member of the Citizen’s Forum for Corporate Social Responsibility and represents it within the European Coalition for Corporate Justice, a coalition of civil society organisations from all over Europe working on business and human rights, corporate accountability, and corporate social responsibility . Casino / Yves Rocher / Téléperformance In 2019, following a report by UNI Global Union, Sherpa and the union federation put the company Téléperformance on notice to comply with its duty of vigilance regarding human rights . In March 2021, Sherpa, alongside several Brazilian and Colombian indigenous peoples’ organisations (COIAB, CPT, FEIPA, FEPOIMT et OPIAC), and international NGOs (Canopée, Envol Vert, France Nature Environnement, Mighty Earth, Notre Affaire à Tous) sued the Casino group under the duty of vigilance law . The company was accused of sourcing from beef-producing farms at risk of deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, illegal land grabbing of indigenous territories, and forced labour. In March 2022, Sherpa, Actionaid, the Turkish syndicate Petrol-Is, and 34 former employees of the Turkish subsidiary sued Yves Rocher group for failing to comply with its duty of vigilance regarding the freedom to join a union and workers’ fundamental rights. . Environment TotalEnergies In January 2020, Sherpa, alongside 14 local authorities, Notre Affaire à Tous, ZEA, Eco Maires, and France Nature Environnement, brought an action against TotalEnergies. Using the law on the duty of vigilance, the coalition requested that the judge order the oil company to take the necessary measures to comply with the objectives of the Paris Agreement . The tribunal first ruled in favour of the NGOs and local authorities in February 2021 by confirming the jurisdiction, rejecting the oil major’s attempt to bring the dispute before the commercial court. Other local authorities joined the judicial procedure in September 2022, including the cities of Paris and New York . The action brought by associations and local authorities was deemed inadmissible by the judge on July 2023 . Perenco In July 2019, Sherpa and Friends of the Earth France filed an action against the French company Perenco S.A. regarding its oil activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The NGOs sought to obtain additional evidence on the relations between Perenco S.A. and companies operating locally in the DRC through the use of a specific legal tool (article 145 of the French Code of Civil Procedure) . The Cour of Cassation ruled in favour of Sherpa and Friends of the Earth France in March 2022 . A complementary claim was then filed in November 2022 by Sherpa and Friends of the Earth France with the support of the NGO [[Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA-US) requiring Perenco S.A. to remedy harm caused to the environment in Democratic Republic of Congo . Corporate Capture Sherpa also seeks to counter the influence strategies of multinationals and corporate capture. The NGO denounces the growing influence of corporations in a number of areas such as: on public opinion, in policy-making and standard setting, as well as on the corporate standards they must meet . In 2022, the NGOs published recommendations on the adoption of a harder legal framework on lobbying . Sherpa filed two complaints for deceptive business practices against Samsung France in 2013 and Auchan supermarket in 2015 . In the Samsung case, the company’s indictment was dismissed in March 2022, on the grounds of lack of admissibility of the NGOs . The Auchan case followed 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse in light of the labels of the In Extenso brand belonging to the Auchan group found in the rubbles . The dismissal of the case was confirmed in December 2022 . Protecting workers' rights Bolloré – Socapalm Sherpa and several associations filed a complaint before the OECD French National Contact Point (NCP) at the end of 2010 regarding the activities of Socapalm - SOCFIN]] Cameroonian palm plantation company linked to the group Bolloré - concerning social, environmental and land issues denounced by neighboring communities and workers . The NCP mediation led to an action plan for Socapalm . As the plan remained unexecuted by the company , Sherpa and other organisations took Bolloré to court to request for a forced execution of the action plan . Vinci - Qatar In March 2015, Sherpa filed, against Vinci Construction Grands Projets' and the French executives of its Qatari subsidiary a complaint alleging reduction to servitude and forced labor, among other complaints, on construction sites in Qatar . Sherpa and the French Comité contre l’Esclavage Moderne (Committee Against Modern Slavery) alongside former Indian and Nepalese construction workers filed a complaint in 2019 following a previous dismissal in 2018 . In November 2022, Vinci Construction Grands Projets was indicted for “obtention of services in exchange for remuneration that is clearly unrelated to the importance of the work performed”, “reduction to servitude”, “submission to working and housing conditions incompatible with human dignity” . Following this procedure, Vinci sued Sherpa for defamation and infringement of presumption of innocence . Sherpa prevailed on the matter of presumption of innocence . International crimes and armed conflicts Multinationals involvement in armed conflicts In November 2016, Sherpa, the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR), and eleven Syrian former employees of Lafarge filed a complaint against the company Lafarge, including its Syrian subsidiary Lafarge Cement Syria (LCS) and former executives . Lafarge is accused of having transferred up to 13 million euros to various armed groups, including the Islamic State, to continue to maintain its activities in the region. In June 2018, Lafarge SA was charged with complicity in crimes against humanity, financing a terrorist organization, embargo violating an embargo”, and endangering the lives of its Syrian employees . Several former executives were also charged . In June 2017, a complaint was filed by Sherpa, the Collective of Civil Parties for Rwanda and Ibuka France, against BNP Paribas in relation to the financing of arms purchases for [[Rwanda’s genocidal government. The French bank is alleged to be complicit in genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Following the complaint, a judicial investigation was opened in August 2017 . In June 2022, Sherpa, Mwatana for Human Rights, and the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights filed a complaint against Dassault Aviation, Thales, and MBDA France alleging their complicity in war crimes crimes against humanity during the Yemeni conflict . Sherpa also participated in an appeal before the Conseil d’État to seek the suspension of arms export licences to countries implicated in the Yemeni conflict in November 2019 . The Conseil d’État rejected the appeal in January 2023 . International crimes in the fashion retail industry In April 2021, Sherpa, with the Collectif Ethique sur l’étiquette, the European Uyghur Institute, and a Uyghur woman, filed a complaint against Inditex, Uniqlo, SMCP, and Skechers for concealment of forced labor and crimes against humanity . These companies are suspected to sell products manufactured, in whole or in part, in factories where Uyghurs are allegedly subjected to forced labour. As a result, an investigation for concealment of crimes against humanity was opened in June 2021 , and closed in April 2023. A second complaint was issued in May 2023 against the same companies . Funding Sherpa operates with grants from French and international private foundations. The NGO is supported in part by the Foundation Charles Léopold Meyer pour le Progrès de l’Homme, as well as the French Development Agency, Open Society Foundations, Humanity United, Ford Foundation, Freedom Fund, File Foundation, Wellsprings . Sherpa also benefits from individual donors . References

• Why it should be changed:

Update the page with more information and newest information!

DorineSherpa (talk) 14:31, 3 August 2023 (UTC)

 Declined Per WP:NOTADVOCACY. I apologize for asking you to place your citations in style 1 when it's evident that the majority of your text falls under the not advocacy guideline. Checking a submission for citation style correctness is usually my first step when answering a request, and if that's not in order, I then ask for it to be changed without further reading the request. In retrospect, I question whether that was the right strategy here, as it had you performing work which ultimately proved unnecessary. For that, I sincerely apologize. Regards,  Spintendo  10:07, 4 August 2023 (UTC)

Dear Spintendo, many thanks for your reply and your time! No worries for the citations. One question, if I keep just the info about the legal case (date, companies and legal based), could it be accepted ? I can suggest something here. It's a shame some information doesn't appear on the page as some of it are just facts. Many thank for your reply. DorineSherpa (talk) 10:17, 4 August 2023 (UTC)

Dear Spintendo, just following up on my previous message. I would be really keen to submit something shorter and a avoid any points related to advocacy. I can make a submission here if it's better ?

It's a shame that there is no information at all about the ongoing cases.

Many thanks for your time! DorineSherpa (talk) 09:25, 21 September 2023 (UTC)

References