UN-BHR

NGOs: BRICS Bank Should Adopt Global Human Rights Standards

July 15, 2015

A group of nongovernmental organizations ("NGOs") have issued a statement calling for the New Development Bank of the BRICS country group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) to adopt the highest global standards on human rights and the environment in its financing policies.
UN Agent Calls on China to Respect UN BHR Agenda in Lending

July 15, 2015

The UN Independent Expert on foreign debt and human rights Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky has called for China to incorporate the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights ("BHR") in its funding policies for projects in developing countries, including performing human rights impact assessments when such financing is considered.
NGOs Issue Briefing Note on Global BHR Progress

July 13, 2015

A group of nongovernmental organizations ("NGOs"), led by the organization CIDSE, has signed on to a briefing note applauding various countries around the world for their efforts advancing the UN business and human rights ("BHR") agenda and calling for the development of a comprehensive, binding UN BHR treaty.
Business Groups Seek Limited BHR Treaty

July 13, 2015

In their observations on a UN working group's process in developing a binding treaty on business and human rights ("BHR"), a group of business organizations attempts to chart a middle way on the effort, welcoming engagement on such a proposed treaty but calling for it largely to track the previously issued UN Guiding Principles on BHR.
NGOs Push Global Enforcement Mechanism for BHR Treaty

July 10, 2015

In a submission to the UN working group developing a binding treaty on business and human rights ("BHR"), a group of nongovernmental organizations ("NGOs") calls for the treaty to cover all human rights violations by all companies, no matter where the conduct takes place, and seeks an international mechanism that would directly enforce the treaty provisions.
NGO Paper Considers Wide Range of BHR Treaty Options

July 10, 2015

A white paper produced by the Institute for Human Rights and Business demonstrates the wide scope of potential provisions in a binding business and human rights ("BHR") treaty, including "establishing international criminal jurisdiction" for BHR violators and the individual right to bring cases before international BHR tribunals.
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.