UN-BHR

Ruggie Praises Chilean BHR Action Plan

September 18, 2017

In a recent keynote address at the launch of the Chilean National Action Plan on implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (BHR), Harvard Professor John Ruggie praised the plan's connection of BHR action with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and called for BHR "due diligence" requirements for companies operating in the country.
Poland Produces BHR Action Plan

September 18, 2017

The Polish Government has published a National Action Plan on implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (BHR), considering current elements of Polish law that support BHR and "corporate social responsibility" and describing potential further measures to protect individuals from BHR violations.
Lawyers Explain Proposal for Global BHR Arbitration

September 15, 2017

A group of lawyers labeling itself the Working Group on International Arbitration of Business and Human Rights has produced a "question and answer" document explaining their proposal for a global arbitration system that would adjudicate disputes involving alleged violations by multinational corporations of the business and human rights (BHR) agenda.
Report: BHR Treaty Must Expand Corporate Liability

September 13, 2017

In a recent report, Daniel Blackburn of the International Centre for Trade Union Rights outlines several ways in which a binding UN treaty on business and human rights (BHR) could promote global liability of corporations for alleged BHR violations, including by requiring them to adopt extensive "due diligence" procedures.
NGOs Seek Gender Perspective in BHR Treaty

September 01, 2017

A group of nongovernmental organizations has issued a statement supporting the inclusion of special protections for women in a universal, binding business and human rights (BHR) treaty under negotiation at the UN, including a requirement that corporations perform "gender impact assessments of planned and existing operations."
Canada Faces Expanding Pressure on BHR Action Plan

August 30, 2017

Warning of Canada's lack of a "coherent policy approach to address business and human rights" (BHR) issues in corporate supply chains, Michael Torrance of the law firm Norton Rose Fulbright calls on the Canadian government to develop a "national action plan" on BHR to set a "baseline" for responsible behavior by Canadian businesses.
NGOs Host BHR "Focus Group" for Italian Companies

August 30, 2017

At a "focus group" hosted in Milan by two nongovernmental organizations in May, business representatives called for more detail from the Italian government on its National Action Plan on implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (BHR) and the creation of a "level playing field" for BHR "due diligence" efforts.
Pledge Seeks BHR "Due Diligence" in Garment Sector

August 30, 2017

Nongovernmental organizations, government and UN officials, unions, and business associations have issued an "Agreement on Sustainable Garment and Textile" for signature by businesses in the garment industry agreeing to "responsible" business practices including human rights "due diligence" in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (BHR).
NGOs Criticize Mexican BHR Action Plan

August 29, 2017

In a letter to the UN Working Group on business and human rights (BHR) issues, a coalition of nongovernmental organizations calling itself the Civil Society Focal Group on BHR in Mexico announced that it is refusing to endorse Mexico's National Program on BHR because it fails to meet several activist demands, including on corporate "due diligence" and access to remedy.
Spain Establishes BHR Action Plan

August 29, 2017

The Spanish Council of Ministers has announced its approval of a National Action Plan on the country's implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (BHR) that establishes a "Monitoring Committee" assessing government efforts to carry out BHR-related measures.