Business & Human Rights

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.
U.S., EU Search for Middle Ground at HRC on Business Issues

July 14, 2014

As the U.S. and EU seek to explain their votes at the UN Human Rights Council ("HRC") against a process to develop a treaty on business and human rights issues, proponents of the treaty dismiss their arguments that they will not be bound to support the treaty development process as "nonsense."
Shift Calls for Embedding of Human Rights Culture in Corporations

July 14, 2014

The nongovernmental organization Shift has published guidance on steps it believes corporations should take to embed human rights due diligence, including reporting on and protecting human rights in business operations, in company culture.