The 2017 UN Forum on Business and Human Rights takes place in Geneva from 27 - 29 November. IHRB is co-organising, moderating or speaking at a number of sessions.
Implementing the UN Guiding Principles in the Commodities Trading Sector
Monday 27 November
13.30 - 14.45
This session organized by the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs will focus on discussing the sector guidance for the commodities trading sector on implementation of the UNGPs, being elaborated by a multi-stakeholder group created by the Swiss Government and composed of representatives of the commodities trading sector, civil society and government.
Read the full session concept note here.
Remedying, redressing and preventing attacks against human rights defenders working on business and human rights
Tuesday 28 November
10.00 - 13.00
The session will showcase innovative approaches to collaboration on remedy for victims and for human rights defenders themselves - by defenders, business, and investors. The panelists and the audience will explore examples of leadership and leverage by states, business, civil society, and investors, formulating recommendations for future actions which will inform theUN Working Group's Guidance document on Business and Human Rights Defenders.
Read the full session concept note here.
Worker-Paid Recruitment Fees – Reimbursement as Remedy?
Tuesday 28 November
13.30 - 14.45
This session focuses on the reimbursement to workers of recruitment fees, and what interventions can be made by companies, governments and civil society to prevent the charging of recruitment fees to workers in the first place. At the session, an important new research paper on reimbursement of fees will be presented and discussed with two companies from the apparel/electronics and construction sectors which have undertaken reimbursement of worker fees, and one representative of a migrant worker rights organization with experience in providing remedy to debt-bonded workers.
Read the full session concept note here.
UN Corporate Standards of Conduct on Tackling Discrimination Against LGBTI: Bringing an LGBTI “Lens” to the UNGPs
Tuesday 28 November
13.30 - 14.45
This session will discuss the recently launch UN Corporate Standards of Coduct on Tackling LGBTI Discrimination. It will include opening remarks by Peggy Hicks, Director of the Research and Right to Development Division of OHCHR including announcing new companies joining as early supporters of the Standards. Fabrice Houdart, Human Rights Officer, OHCHR and coauthor of the Standards on behalf of the UN Human Rights Office will briefly present the standards themselves, following by a 2-minute screening of UN Free & Equal campaign video, “Price of Exclusion” narrated by Zachary Quinto, describing the business end economic case for LGBTI inclusion. Finally, a discussion between business leaders and activists including IKEA Group and ILGA will discuss the Standards with a particular accent on remedy.
Read the full session concept note here.
