BHR

Academic: Binding BHR Treaty Should Focus on "Victims"

July 09, 2015

Surya Deva of the City University of Hong Kong School of Law has faulted the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights ("BHR") for insufficient focus on the needs of victims of BHR violations and has called for a binding treaty on BHR issues to be based on the "regulatory needs" of victims.
Business Initiative Calls for National BHR Action Plans

July 09, 2015

The Global Business Initiative on Human Rights, comprised of 18 multinational enterprises, has called for countries to develop coherent and credible national action plans on business and human rights ("BHR") in order to advance the UN's BHR agenda around the world.
NGO Seeks Treaty as Basis for International BHR Law

July 08, 2015

In a submission to the UN working group for development of a binding treaty on business and human rights ("BHR") issues, the Institute for Human Rights and Business has called for the group to coordinate its efforts with international organizations to build an "integrated body of international law" on BHR.
MEPs Develop Strategy on Advancing BHR Treaty

July 08, 2015

The European Coalition for Corporate Justice reports that Members of the European Parliament ("MEPs") have recently held meetings on how they can advance the development of a binding treaty on business and human rights ("BHR") issues, including by placing it on the European Commission's agenda.
UN Agent Calls for Corporate Natural Resources Treaty

July 08, 2015

UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of freedom of peaceful assembly and association Maina Kiai has called for the development of a binding international treaty to advance the UN business and human rights agenda among all companies, regardless of size, in the natural resources sector.
AI Pushes Participation in BHR Treaty Process

July 07, 2015

On the eve of the first session of a UN working group developing a binding treaty on business and human rights ("BHR"), Amnesty International ("AI") has called on all countries to participate in the creation of a broad, binding treaty that addresses "gaps" in the current framework of the UN Guiding Principles on BHR.
Paper: Failed Treaty Process Would Advance BHR Movement

July 07, 2015

A paper published by the Coalition for Peace and Ethics argues that, even though the process of developing a binding business and human rights ("BHR") treaty will likely fail, it is still useful for advocates of the UN's BHR agenda in advancing a "coherent structure" for BHR governance.
Asia-Pacific NGOs Demand Broad BHR Treaty

July 06, 2015

A group of Asia-Pacific nongovernmental organizations ("NGOs") has released a series of "demands" for provisions to be included in a legally binding business and human rights ("BHR") treaty, including corporate financial disclosure and a prohibition of "complicity" between businesses and governments.
Activist Questions Quality of BHR Indicators

July 06, 2015

Demonstrating the difficulty of measuring "progress" in corporate implementation of the UN's business and human rights ("BHR") agenda, BHR adviser Damiano de Felice writes that indicators developed to quantify such progress are sometimes inaccurate and can hinder the advancement of the BHR agenda.
Indonesia Develops Action Plan on BHR Agenda

July 06, 2015

The Jakarta Post reports that Indonesia's National Commission for Human Rights is developing a national action plan to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights ("BHR"), including requiring companies to protect the environment and preserve local traditions in operating areas.