BHR

Swiss BHR Initiative Clears Procedural Hurdle

April 22, 2016

A Swiss citizens' initiative launched by a coalition of nongovernmental organizations to require Swiss-based businesses to conduct human rights and environmental due diligence in their foreign operations, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights ("BHR"), has garnered enough signatures to require consideration by the Swiss Government.
NGO Agrees to Develop BHR Action Plan for Mexico

April 21, 2016

The nongovernmental organization Danish Institute for Human Rights has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mexican Foreign Minister Claudia Ruiz Massieu Salinas to develop a National Programme on Business and Human Rights ("BHR") that implements UN and other global BHR standards among businesses operating in the country.
NGO: Dutch Companies Violated Global Standards in Suez Project

April 21, 2016

The Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations has published a report accusing Dutch companies involved in a recent project to widen and deepen the Suez Canal of failing to abide by "international social and environmental standards," including those promulgated by the UN and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ("OECD").
Ruggie Releases Report on FIFA's Human Rights Impacts

April 19, 2016

Harvard Professor John Ruggie has completed a report requested by the International Federation of Association Football ("FIFA") calling for FIFA to implement the business and human rights ("BHR") agenda in its own operations, including by developing an effective third-party complaint mechanism, and to use its influence with other entities to address their human rights risks.
Academic Institutes Hold BHR Researchers Summit

April 15, 2016

The Institute of Business Ethics at the University of St Gallen, Switzerland, the Business and Human Rights ("BHR") Journal, and the Center for BHR at New York University recently held a BHR Young Researchers Summit in Switzerland to discuss projects to advance research and practical responses in the BHR field.
Mining Company Touts BHR, Sustainability Reporting

April 14, 2016

Newmont Mining Corporation has announced that it has become the first mining company to use the Reporting Framework for the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights ("BHR") to publicize its implementation of the global BHR agenda, and has also reported on its "sustainability" efforts using standards produced by the Global Reporting Initiative.
Diplomat Explains US Implementation of BHR Agenda

April 13, 2016

At a recent session of the UN Human Rights Council ("HRC"), US Ambassador to the HRC Keith Harper explained how the US is developing a National Action Plan on Responsible Business Conduct to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights ("BHR") and pressure companies to do the same through US federal law and policy.
NGOs Call for BHR Implementation in Maritime Industry

April 11, 2016

Nongovernmental organizations Human Rights at Sea and the Business & Human Rights ("BHR") Resource Centre have published a report calling for companies in the maritime industry to ensure they are implementing the UN's BHR agenda in their operations at sea.
CoE Official Outlines Work on BHR Agenda

April 11, 2016

The Council of Europe's ("CoE") Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muižnieks, has published an outline of the work the CoE has done to promote the UN's business and human rights ("BHR") agenda in Europe, including by publishing a recent recommendation on BHR implementation and pushing for BHR national action plans in individual countries.
Paper Calls for Indian BHR Framework

April 08, 2016

The Ethical Trading Initiative has published a paper calling on India to follow the lead of other countries that have developed national action plans on implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights ("BHR") by developing its own "national framework" to hold companies accountable for violations of the global BHR agenda.