Business responsibility to respect human rights: Challenges and opportunities six years after the adoption of UNGPs. A dialogue to move forward

After the adoption of the United Nations Guiding Principles on business and human rights (UNGP) in 2011, standards on business responsibility to respect human rights and human rights due diligence have taken a prominent place in the global debate on business accountability. Many companies claim to be in compliance with the UNGP by performing a human rights due diligence including across their global supply chain. Several initiatives have emerged at regional and national level to promote companies’ due diligence processes, including the EU Directive on non-financial reporting, the UK Modern Slavery Act, and the French law on company devoir de vigilance. Despite the progress, serious human rights abuses still occur in both developing and developed countries. The ability of companies to identify, monitor and prevent negative human rights impacts in their operations and relationships is still weak and the access to effective remedy for victims of corporate human rights abuse remains elusive.

This is an opportune moment to take stock of the progresses made to date and outline the challenges ahead in order to create a level playing field that will effectively promote the respect of human rights in business global operations.

Speakers

• Fernanda Hopenhaym, PODER (Mexico)/ESCR-net Steering Group
• Maddalena Neglia, International Federation of Human Rights
• Olivier de Schutter, UN Committee on ESCR/University of Louvain
• Michael Addo, UN Working Group on BHR

Moderator

• Carlos Lopez, International Commission of Jurists

Please download the flyer of the event here.