Business & Human Rights

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.
NGOs Push for Mandatory EU Conflict Mineral Due Diligence

July 23, 2014

In response to a European Commission proposal for voluntary corporate reporting on conflict minerals from war-torn countries, a group of nongovernmental organizations ("NGOs") is pushing the European Parliament to adopt stricter standards that require mitigation of the use of such minerals.
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.
Article Calls for Expanded Mandate on "Sustainability Reporting"

July 18, 2014

Professors Adam Sulkowski and Sandra Waddock call for governments to broadly interpret current corporate reporting laws to require reporting on human rights, environmental impacts, and other issues and to provide more explicit standards mandating that companies report on "sustainability" in their operations.
Coke, Pepsi Adopt UN Guidelines on Land Rights

July 14, 2014

Following the decision of Coca-Cola to support the UN Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure, which seek to pressure businesses to avoid violation of land ownership rights in developing countries, Pepsi has agreed to promote the Guidelines and carry out impact assessments in its supply chain.