UN-BHR

Ruggie Criticizes EU Progress on UNGPs

March 15, 2017

Harvard Professor and creator of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) John Ruggie has published a letter to the European Commission expressing concern at the EU's failure to produce an action plan on the implementation of the UNGPs and perceived shortcomings in the bloc's nonfinancial reporting framework.
France Passes Business Due Diligence Law

March 14, 2017

EurActiv reports that the French Parliament has passed a law requiring multinational companies to develop due diligence procedures monitoring human rights and environmental impacts of their subsidiaries and in their supply chains.
Academics Seek Larger EU Role in BHR Action

March 14, 2017

A paper published by the European University Institute calls for the EU to initiate an "Open Method of Coordination" process to encourage and benchmark the development by member states of effective "national action plans" on implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (BHR).
NGOs Criticize EU Development Bank's BHR Record

March 14, 2017

The nongovernmental coalition CEE Bankwatch Network has published a report criticizing the European Investment Bank for failing to perform, in compliance with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (BHR), proper due diligence assessments of the BHR impacts of projects it funds outside the EU.
NGO Monitors Business Grievance Procedures

March 13, 2017

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), a human rights NGO composed of legal experts, has established a panel that bypasses national governments and directly guides the internal grievance-resolution practices used by businesses around the world, citing human rights concerns produced by "poor design and/or implementation" of these practices.
Ruggie Refutes Narrow Interpretations of UNGPs

March 08, 2017

In a letter on the meanings of key terms in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), Harvard Professor and creator of the UNGPs John Ruggie writes that they encompass a broad scope of conduct businesses must assess across their operations and relationships.
NGO: Action on SDGs Fulfills Duties Under UNGPs

March 02, 2017

In a report for a commission of business representatives and others seeking fulfillment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the nongovernmental organization Shift calls for businesses to abide by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) by recognizing their responsibility to contribute to the SDGs in their operations and supply chains.
UN Group Signals Broad Impact of UNGPs on Banks

March 01, 2017

In a recent letter objecting to portions of a discussion paper by the Thun Group of banks, the UN Working Group on business and human rights declared that, under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), banks owe broad duties of due diligence and remedy for the human rights impacts of the projects they finance.
Report Reveals Broad Discussion on BHR Treaty

March 01, 2017

In its report on the latest consultations on the development of a binding UN treaty on business and human rights (BHR), the Intergovernmental Working Group charged with creating the treaty revealed a wide-ranging discussion on potential provisions requiring both governments and businesses to implement the global BHR agenda.
UK Commission Publishes BHR Guide for Managers

February 28, 2017

The UK Equality and Human Rights Commission has published a "seven-step guide for managers" on how to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (BHR) in their business operations and global supply chains, starting with a "human rights policy commitment" and including public reporting on their BHR impacts.