Business & Human Rights

Law Firms Convene Workshop on BHR Implementation

November 30, 2016

A group of nine law firms recently held a workshop in London as part of their Law Firm Business and Human Rights Peer Learning Process to discuss cooperation between and within law firms on complying with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and to promoting these Principles in their global practices.
Ruggie Urges Focus on UNGPs to Achieve "Sustainability"

November 30, 2016

In remarks to the annual UN Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva, Harvard Professor John Ruggie urged businesses to focus on fulfilling the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), including by putting pressure on their supply chains, in order to contribute to the UN's comprehensive Sustainable Development Goals.
NGO Seeks New World Order in BHR Treaty

November 29, 2016

The nongovernmental organization Share the World's Resources has published an article lauding the potential of negotiations in Geneva over the development of a binding UN business and human rights treaty to bring about "a new international political, economic and legal order" by dismantling international trade deals and providing for the global regulation of corporate activities.
Banker Pushes for Global Corporate Tax Reporting

November 29, 2016

Arguing that few multinational companies consider the societal need for them to pay "a fair amount of tax," Sasja Beslik of the financial services group Nordea writes that the only practical way for governments to promote corporate tax transparency is to force businesses to disclose their revenues and tax payments in every jurisdiction in which they operate.
Rights Activists Call for Rejection of Trade Deals

November 29, 2016

A set of nongovernmental organizations have issued a statement calling for the rejection of various international trade agreements for failing to integrate the global human rights agenda, including economic and social rights, into their provisions and seeking the completion of "human rights impact assessments" prior to the adoption of any future trade deal.