A Business and Human Rights Treaty? Why Activists Should be Worried
This commentary is the second in a series.
The call by a group of states at the UN Human Rights Council to begin diplomatic deliberations towards a UN treaty on business and human rights has drawn the backing of a growing list of civil society...
04 June 2014 | Commentary
Commentary by Mark Taylor, International Advisory Council, IHRB
A Business and Human Rights Treaty? Smart strategies are needed to close accountability gaps
This is the first contribution in a series.
Despite the progress of recent years in advancing understanding and action on the relationship between business and human rights, gaps in legal accountability continues to be a subject of much heated...
03 June 2014 | Commentary
Commentary by John Morrison, Chief Executive, IHRB
Ensuring Respect for Human Rights at Sea
The international “Human Rights at Sea” (HRAS) initiative was recently launched with the aim of raising the profile, awareness, implementation and accountability for human rights protections throughout the maritime industry, especially where they...
20 May 2014 | Commentary
Commentary by David Hammond
The Invisible Workforce
The UK Equality and Human Rights Commission recently published its report, 'The Invisible Workforce'. This sets out our findings on employment practices in the cleaning sector.
Our key findings include:
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Workers are not treated with dignity and...
18 May 2014 | Commentary
Commentary by Alice Teague
Principles, Roadmaps & Recommendations: What’s next for Internet Governance?
The world wide web turns 25 this year, and the year is shaping up to be crucial for the Internet’s future. Concerns over allegations of mass surveillance of digital communications by intelligence services fuelled two recent conferences - NETmundial...
09 May 2014 | Commentary
Commentary by Lucy Purdon, Founder of Courage Everywhere
Women’s Leadership Can Transform the Way We Do Business in a Climate-Constrained World
This article was originally published in the HuffingtonPost.
As a global community, we find ourselves at a critical juncture. One path -- the "business as usual" route -- sees us approach a drastically warmer world, where our continuing reliance on...
07 May 2014 | Commentary
Commentary by Mary Robinson, Chair, The Elders; Patron, IHRB
The Rana Plaza Tragedy in Bangladesh - One Year On
A year ago, over 1,000 workers lost their lives and more than 2,000 were injured in a catastrophic but avoidable industrial accident in Dhaka, Bangladesh. We now know how overcrowded the building was, and how its management ignored warning signs and...
24 April 2014 | Commentary
Commentary by Salil Tripathi, Senior Advisor, Global Issues, IHRB
Bringing the Business and Human Rights Agenda to Higher Education in Africa
Earlier this month the European Union announced plans aimed at limiting global trade in minerals mined in conflict zones. While the goal of the new initiative is laudable, the approach being proposed – essentially a voluntary reporting scheme – is...
08 April 2014 | Commentary
Commentary by Masha Baraza
How to strengthen the EU’s conflict minerals proposals
Earlier this month the European Union announced plans aimed at limiting global trade in minerals mined in conflict zones. While the goal of the new initiative is laudable, the approach being proposed – essentially a voluntary reporting scheme – is...
26 March 2014 | Commentary
Commentary by Margot Wallström, Chair, International Advisory Council, IHRB; former Swedish Foreign Minister
“Going Out” in Search of Oil and Gas: How Should Chinese Companies Tackle Human Rights Challenges?
Amid soul searching for causes of the unexpected February slump in Chinese exports – maybe it’s the Chinese New Year, or perhaps the start of a real down turn? – China’s overseas direct investments (ODI) continue to flow vigorously.
According to...
24 March 2014 | Commentary
Commentary by Motoko Aizawa
Major Sporting Events and Human Rights
Host nations and cities, sports organising bodies and companies must move faster, aim higher, and show stronger resolve
As the 2014 Winter Olympic Games get underway this weekend in Sochi, debates continue to intensify around the responsibilities...
06 February 2014 | Commentary
Commentary by Salil Tripathi, Senior Advisor, Global Issues, IHRB
Page 25 of 37 pages.
Rana Plaza – Rebuilding more than the Factory
Moves to protect workers since the Rana Plaza disaster are laudable but a more fundamental rethink of the market remains the only solution.
Over a year ago, 1,129 workers lost their lives and more than 2,500 were injured in a catastrophic...
09 June 2014 | Commentary
Commentary by Salil Tripathi, Senior Advisor, Global Issues, IHRB