Statement on the COVID-19 Implications for Migrant Workers

The COVID-19 crisis is a threat to all countries and to all people. 

We are all at risk, but many people, including migrant workers around the world, face heightened risk of contracting the virus and in many cases have limited access to adequate health care services, clean water, and sanitation. ...more

09 April 2020. Commentary by Kevin Hyland

Open Letter to UK Supermarket Board Chairs on COVID-19

Today, The Institute for Human Rights and Business issued an open letter to the Board Chairs of the UK’s major supermarkets pressing them for greater protections for staff at the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the letter the global human rights think tank asks the Chairs of Aldi, Asda,...more

24 March 2020. Commentary by John Morrison, Chief Executive, IHRB

PepsiCo Joins the Leadership Group for Responsible Recruitment

Today Pepsi Co. was announced as the newest member of the Leadership Group for Responsible Recruitment, a corporate-led initiative in collaboration with expert organisations advocating for the end to migrant-worker paid recruitment fees.

Recruiting migrant workers into global supply chains...more

24 January 2020.

2019 CHRB Shows Most Businesses Failing on Human Rights Due Diligence

The 2019 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark (CHRB – a part of the World Benchmarking Alliance) – results have been released, and demonstrate how most companies in the apparel, food & beverage, extractive and tech manufacture sectors are failing to meet basic corporate human rights expectations.  

19 November 2019. Commentary by Dan Neale

New Coalition Aims to Advance Human Rights in the Built Environment

The Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB), Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, the Australian Human Rights Institute at the University of New South Wales, and the Rafto Foundation for Human Rights have joined forces to work with others to address some of the...more

Corporate Human Rights Benchmark Suspends Vale after Brazil Dam Disaster

Following the devastating dam disaster in Brazil, which has so far claimed 134 lives with 199 still missing, Vale, the Brazilian mining company responsible for the dam, has been suspended from the Corporate Human Rights Benchmark (CHRB).  This was the second such disaster linked to Vale in three...more

01 February 2019.

Mary Harvey Appointed Chief Executive of Centre for Sport and Human Rights

The Centre for Sport and Human Rights has appointed Mary Harvey its first chief executive, as international consensus builds around the need for the sports sector to reform and account for its societal impacts.

Harvey is an 8-year veteran of the US Women’s National Soccer team, winning the 1991...more

12 December 2018.

IHRB at the 2018 UN Forum on Business & Human Rights

The 2018 UN Forum on Business and Human Rights takes place in Geneva from 26 - 28 November. The central theme of this year's forum is "Business respect for human rights – building on what works".  IHRB is co-organising and/or speaking at the following sessions:

Human Rights Due Diligence in the...more

22 November 2018.

Former UN High Commissioner Prince Zeid Opens IHRB’s 2018 Circle of Innovators Dialogue

Political events, social movements, technological innovations, and rapid economic growth and crises can undermine or uphold human rights, affecting the dignity and the lives and work of billions of people. The effects can sometimes be swift and global. Yet, those in the business and human rights...more

15 November 2018.

Kevin Hyland OBE Becomes New Chair of The Leadership Group for Responsible Recruitment

Kevin Hyland OBE, the former UK Independent Anti Slavery Commissioner, is to become the new chair of the Leadership Group for Responsible Recruitment. Kevin who is now the Chief Executive of ChildFund Ireland has always been a strong supporter of the Leadership Group from its launch in 2016.

The...more

18 October 2018.