UN-BHR

NGO Pushes for Integration of BHR, SDG Efforts

June 13, 2019

The Danish Institute for Human Rights has published a paper explaining how governments and corporations should encourage the integration of efforts to implement business and human rights (BHR) standards and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including by promoting corporate “due diligence” for BHR impacts.
UN Body Calls on G20 to Implement BHR Standards

June 12, 2019

The UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights (BHR) has issued a call for members of the G20 group of countries to fully implement the UN Guiding Principles on BHR by adhering to commitments to impose “due diligence” requirements on corporations for human rights impacts in global supply chains.
Academic Warns of Changes in Canadian BHR Mandate

June 12, 2019

Professor Penelope Simons of the University of Ottawa has warned that the Canadian government has signaled changes to its newly established position of Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise, set up to investigate rights violations by businesses operating abroad, that in her view will undermine the position’s investigatory powers.
Dutch Banking Initiative Issues BHR Guidance on Remedies

June 12, 2019

Participants in the Dutch Banking Sector Agreement on business and human rights (BHR) issues have released guidance for banks, based on the UN Guiding Principles on BHR, on providing remedies for alleged human rights violations to which they are linked through client relationships.
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.