UN-BHR

Paper for UN Working Group Highlights BHR Gender Issues

July 23, 2014

A paper from a consulting firm written for the UN Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women calls on governments and businesses to incorporate gender into their policies on corporate social responsibility and business and human rights ("BHR").
UN Working Group Warns Israel, Companies on BHR and Settlements

July 23, 2014

The UN Working Group on business and human rights ("BHR") issues has published a statement calling for Israel to cease alleged human rights violations from construction of settlements in disputed territories and warns businesses that they must seek to prevent human rights violations in such settlement projects.
BHR Supporters Express Skepticism over Treaty Process

July 18, 2014

Government and civil society supporters of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights ("BHR"), including the developer of the Guiding Principles John Ruggie, have warned of increasing polarization following a Human Rights Council vote establishing a working group to develop a binding BHR treaty.
BHR Activists Seek UN Human Rights Council Support on Treaty

July 14, 2014

Advocates of a binding international treaty on business and human rights ("BHR") continue pressing their agenda at the UN Human Rights Council, blasting the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and UN Global Compact as insufficient and ineffective measures.
UN Working Group to Issue Guidance on Gender and UNGPs

July 14, 2014

The UN Working Group on business and human rights issues has announced that it will issue guidance on how countries should promote a "gender perspective" when developing national action plans implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (“UNGPs”).
HRC Adopts Norway Resolution on BHR Working Group

July 14, 2014

The UN Human Rights Council ("HRC") has adopted a resolution from Norway acknowledging and enhancing the mandate of the UN Working Group on business and human rights ("BHR"), including in its work to pressure countries to adopt national BHR action plans.
Ruggie Expresses Concern over BHR Treaty Vote

July 14, 2014

Following the vote of the UN Human Rights Council to create an open-ended process for creating a binding treaty on business and human rights ("BHR") issues, John Ruggie argues that such a process may lead to nonimplementation of the UN Guiding Principles on BHR and to fewer human rights protections.
UN Working Group Releases Principles on NAP Development

July 14, 2014

The UN Working Group on business and human rights issues has published a report pushing governments to implement what it views as the key principles in the development of national action plans ("NAPs") on business and human rights and seeking input on reviewing and following up on such NAPs.
NGOs Develop "Toolkit" for BHR Action Plans

July 14, 2014

The nongovernmental organizations ("NGOs") the Danish Institute for Human Rights and the International Corporate Accountability Roundtable have published a "toolkit" on the development and implementation of national action plans on business and human rights ("BHR") issues.
Unilever Commits to International BHR Standards

June 23, 2014

Consumer goods company Unilever has announced that it will report on its progress in implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights ("BHR") in its operations and that it will produce impact assessments reviewing activities in its supply chain.