Business & Human Rights

NGOs Seek End to "Corporate Impunity" in Europe

October 20, 2016

An alliance of nongovernmental organizations called the Citizen Forum for Corporate Social Responsibility has documented the actions of EU member states, EU institutions, and the Council of Europe on implementing a corporate "duty of care" on business and human rights issues and encourages more action to end "corporate impunity" in Europe.
Paper Blames Tax Avoidance for Women's Rights Violations

October 20, 2016

The nongovernmental organization Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era has published a paper arguing that corporate tax avoidance makes it more difficult for countries to promote policies "to reduce gender gaps and to fulfill women's human rights" and calling for a global review of tax policies to reduce such discrimination.
NGO Calls on UK to Include BHR Principles in Trade Deals

October 20, 2016

Lorenzo Cotula of the International Institute of Environment and Development writes that, in its post-Brexit trade negotiations, the UK should ensure that any trade agreements setting up tribunals to rule on investment disputes include provisions requiring these tribunals to consider business and human rights principles in their decisions.
Policy Brief Seeks BHR Treaty Role in Remedy

October 20, 2016

A policy brief published by the South Centre describes potential options in a binding UN treaty on business and human rights for bolstering remedies available to alleged victims of BHR violations, including by mandating national legislation on corporate liability and providing for certain BHR-related extraterritorial obligations of governments.
Global Security Standards Group Begins Monitoring Role

October 20, 2016

Members of the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers’ Association, including governments, security companies, and nongovernmental organizations, recently voted to initiate the organization's efforts to monitor security providers' adherence to global human rights standards.