The IGWG’s fifth session, which took place from 14 to 18 October 2019, opened with a statement from the United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights. She congratulated the Chair-Rapporteur on the release of the revised draft legally binding instrument (RDLBI), which provides a solid basis on which to commence substantive negotiations. For her, a future treaty can help ensure effective prevention, protection and remedy for those subjected to business-related human rights abuses, just as it can help to open up more sustainable, equitable and inclusive development. She recalled that business-related human rights abuses impact different groups of people and rights-holders differently, and some even disproportionally. In that context, she mentioned that a business and human rights treaty is not a cure, but it can and must be part of the solution. She welcomed the recent positive legislative trends in many jurisdictions, while taking note of the diversity of views regarding the treaty, which she considered essential for the fifth session. She reminded that the High Commissioner urges everyone to recall that the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human rights (UNGPs) and the new treaty can and should be mutually reinforcing and complementary. In that sense, she recalled that the UNGPs themselves call for States to consider a smart mix of measures, including relevant and meaningful legal developments at the international, regional and national levels. She mentioned that the High Commissioner sees the potential of this treaty process to deliver an enhanced protection of human rights in the context of business activities, and most importantly to improve accountability and access to effective remedy for those harmed by business activities. The Deputy High Commissioner stressed that the treaty process should not be used to undermine or stop action on the implementation of the UNGPs, at least until such time as a stronger normative framework is in place. She recalled the work of her office on the Accountability and Remedy Project, noting that the outcomes of the project can already be used to improve access to State-based remedial mechanisms, and she recommended that members of the IGWG use its outcomes as a helpful resource during negotiations. Additionally, she highlighted the record number of civil society representatives during this session and their key role in this process. She also commended the role of independent experts during the session. Finally, she stressed the urgency that the High Commissioner feels for this important work and therefore encouraged all stakeholders to engage constructively and work collaboratively during the forthcoming session.

Draft Report on the Fifth Session of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with Respect to Human Rights DOWNLOAD

post

page

attachment

revision

nav_menu_item

custom_css

customize_changeset

oembed_cache

user_request

wp_block

wp_template

wp_template_part

wp_global_styles

wp_navigation

wp_font_family

wp_font_face

acf-taxonomy

acf-post-type

acf-field-group

acf-field

ai1ec_event

exactmetrics_note

Towards Demand-Driven, Empowering Assistance for Trafficked Persons
Publications

This brief has been prepared by the Issara Institute and Anders Lisborg, technical consultant. The paper provides a brief landscape analysis of mainstream trafficking victim assistance programs in Southeast Asia from the lens of empowerment, emph...Read More

TAGS: Asia
Current and Potential Impacts of Legal Reforms on Businesses and Workers in Thailand’s Fishing Industry
Publications

While some challenges around design and implementation remain, the aim of the reforms- to improve conditions for workers in the sector, help to restore Thailand's depleted fish stocks and ultimately to make the industry more safe, sustainable and pr...Read More

The 2018 List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor
Publications

Purpose of this Report The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) has produced this eighth edition of the List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor in accordance with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPRA), as amended. The TVPRA req...Read More

Sextortion: Findings from a Survey of 1,631 Victims
Publications

Janis Wolak and David Finkelhor Sextortion is defined as threats to expose a sexual image in order to make a person do something or for other reasons, such as revenge or humiliation. In an effort to better understand the threat of sextortion and ...Read More