The UN Secretary-General’s Report on Business, Human Rights & the UN System
Submission, 26 March 2012
When unanimously endorsing the Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights on 16 June 2011, reflected in Resolution 17/4, the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council requested:
“…the Secretary-General to prepare a report on how the United Nations system as a whole, including programmes and funds and specialized agencies, can contribute to the advancement of the business and human rights agenda and the dissemination and implementation of the Guiding Principles, addressing in particular how capacity-building of all relevant actors to this end can best be addressed within the United Nations system…” (para 11)
While recognising the potential for the entire UN system to contribute significantly to this emerging agenda, this IHRB submission to the UN Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) highlights three areas where existing organisational structures should be strengthened and inter-agency cooperation and multi-stakeholder engagement enhanced in order to effectively disseminate and implement the UN Guiding Principles.
Latest IHRB Publications
21 February 2019
21 February 2019
The Start of Modern Corporate Accountability Efforts - In Memory of Joel Filártiga
It is an unfortunate reality that when human rights defenders speak against their governments, they place themselves at risk of harm. Still, some choose to speak, and in doing so they change the course of history.
Dr Joel Filártiga was one such...
25 July 2019
Human Rights and the Built Environment - A Call for Action
Two-thirds of humanity are projected to live in urban areas by 2050. If we are to make progress in reducing global inequality and in meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals, a rights-based approach to the built environment is critical.
IHRB...
22 July 2019
Commentary by Annabel Short, Consultant, IHRB; Founder, Rights Here project
08 August 2019
10 June 2019
30 November 2017
Rights and Wrongs - Questioning Free Expression in the Workplace
How can companies negotiate their way around deeply divisive political issues where their employees, contractors, suppliers, and associates may have strong convictions and opinions? Can companies keep politics out of their offices? Can they restrain...
17 September 2019
Commentary by Salil Tripathi, Senior Advisor, Global Issues, IHRB