UN-BHR

NGO Calls for “Gender-Responsive” Binding BHR Treaty

June 12, 2019

The nongovernmental organization Christian Aid has published a report calling for UN bodies and governments to address the “deeply ingrained power imbalances” between men and women in the global economic system through a “gender-responsive,” binding UN treaty on business and human rights (BHR).
EC Touts Progress on Business and Human Rights

June 05, 2019

The European Commission (EC) has published a review of its progress promoting corporate social responsibility and implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, touting such initiatives as its Non-Financial Reporting Directive and promotion of “sustainable” business in developing countries.
Legal Body Reviews Corporate Environmental Standards in Conflicts

June 03, 2019

The UN-appointed International Law Commission is reviewing draft principles for governments and corporations on protecting the environment during armed conflicts that include a call for states to ensure corporations are exercising “due diligence and precaution” with respect to environmental impacts when operating in areas of armed conflict.
UN Group Reveals “Gender Framework” for BHR Principles

May 29, 2019

The UN Working Group on business and human rights (BHR) issues has created a framework pushing governments and businesses to “integrate a gender perspective” in their implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on BHR to address the “different and disproportionate” impact of BHR violations on women.
UN Official Announces Initiative on Rights in Tech Industry

May 01, 2019

Following her recent visit to Silicon Valley, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet called for greater regulation of the tech industry and announced that her office will launch a project pushing internet companies to implement the UN human rights agenda in their corporate practices.
India Announces Development of BHR Action Plan

May 01, 2019

Responding to India’s pledge to create a National Action Plan on the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (BHR), the UN Working Group on BHR issues called on Indian officials to maintain an “inclusive consultation process” and pursue a plan that furthers the UN’s “sustainable development” agenda.
NGO: Business Activity in Israeli Settlements Violates UNGPs

April 04, 2019

An Amnesty International report asserts that any business activity in or with the Israeli settlements in “occupied” Palestinian territory violates the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and calls on businesses to conduct due diligence to ensure they are not contributing to “war crimes” in these settlements.
Asian Countries Move to Implement BHR Agenda

March 04, 2019

Melissa Chong of the nongovernmental organization Corporate Citizenship writes that plans in countries like Thailand and India to develop national guidelines on implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (BHR) could portend a shift toward corporate supply chain BHR due diligence across Asia.
NGO Seeks Mandatory Corporate Due Diligence Under UNGPs

February 27, 2019

The activist organization Shift has issued a statement calling on governments to implement a “smart mix” of voluntary and mandatory measures to ensure companies are complying with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), including by requiring companies to carry out “human rights due diligence.”
NGO Critiques Action Plans on Implementing UNGPs

February 22, 2019

The Danish Institute for Human Rights has published a global review of national action plans on implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) in government policy, including critiques of many governments for failing to follow NGO recommendations in creating these plans.