HRBA Portal

The UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises
The Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises, consists of five independent experts, of balanced geographical representation. It’s mandate includes, inter alia, “To promote the effective and comprehensive dissemination and implementation of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Implementing the United Nations “Protect, Respect and Remedy” Framework”.

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights: Business and Human Rights
The OHCHR homepage providing information, publications, news, relevant international instruments and more about business and human rights.

Working Group on the Issue of Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises
At its seventeenth session, in resolution A/HRC/17/4, the Human Rights Council decided to establish a Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises, consisting of five independent experts from various geographical region to: promote the effective and comprehensive dissemination and implementation of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Implementing the United Nations “Protect, Respect and Remedy” Framework.

Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises
In 2005 the UN Commission on Human Rights adopted resolution E/CN.4/RES/2005/69 requesting “Secretary-General to appoint a special representative on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises”. The resolution mandated the Special Representative to identify and clarify standards of corporate responsibility and accountability for transnational corporations and other business enterprises with regard to human rights. This page details the mandate and activities of the SRSG.

Business and Human Rights Resource Centre
A web portal providing information and documentation regarding the work of the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General on business & human rights, John Ruggie. It offers several useful research papers, reports, and related news.

Amnesty International: Business and Human Rights
Amnesty International’s webpage discussing its role in holding the business community to a wider responsibility – moral and legal – to use its influence to promote respect for human rights.

The Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)
The IHRB is a global centre of expertise on the relationship between business and internationally proclaimed human rights standards that works to raise corporate standards and strengthen public policy to ensure that the activities of companies do not contribute to human rights abuses, and in fact lead to positive outcomes. Their website links to its current activities and publications.

Human Rights and Business
The Human Rights and Business Department is part of The Danish Institute for Human Rights devoted to business and its impact on human rights. It is comprised by a research team and a consultancy focused on implementation and impact and the hub of a network of business and human rights organisations. Its research, tools, methodologies and projects are focused on improving corporate performance on human rights.

Human Rights Watch: Business
Human Rights Watch is an independent  organisation dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world. Its webpage on business and human rights offers news, reports and multimedia on corruption, extractive industries, trade and global initiatives on this topic.

Business and Human Rights Documentation Project
The Business and Human Rights Documentation (B-HRD, pronounced “Be Heard”) Project is a joint initiative of the International Network on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR-Net) and the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice (CHRGJ) at New York University School of Law. B-HRD provides human rights defenders from around the world a platform to come together, exchange information, access documentation on business-related abuses, and share effective strategies.

Human Rights Impact Assessment Guide
This guide by Rights & Democracy provides a step-by-step process for those wishing to take stock of the positive and negative impacts of an investment project in a community. Available in English, French and Spanish.

The UN “Protect, Respect and Remedy” Framework on human rights and business, which was elaborated by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises, provides clarity about the respective roles and responsibilities of governments and business with regard to protection and respect for human rights. It considers the scope of business’ human rights responsibilities and ways for corporate actors to be accountable for the impact of their activities on human rights.

Relevant International Instruments

ILO Tripartite Declaration on Principles Concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy
The principles laid down in this universal instrument offer guidelines to multinational enterprises (MNEs), governments, and employers’ and workers’ organizations in such areas as employment, training, conditions of work and life, and industrial relations. It is an important instrument regulating the conduct of MNEs, and helps to define labour-related and social policy issues, as well as the terms of their relations with host countries, mostly in the developing world.

ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
Adopted in 1998, this Declaration commits Member States to respect and promote principles and rights in four categories, whether or not they have ratified the relevant Conventions. These categories are: freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining, the elimination of forced or compulsory labour, the abolition of child labour and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

Resolution 2004/116. Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations and related Business Enterprises with regard to Human Rights
This Resolution confirmed the importance and priority of the responsibilities of transnational corporations and related business enterprises with regard to human rights, and requested the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to compile a report setting out the scope and legal status of existing initiatives and standards relating to the responsibility of transnational  corporations and related business enterprises with regard to human  rights.

Human Rights Resolution 2005/69: Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and
other Business Enterprises
This Resolution addresses the fact that transnational corporations and other business enterprises can contribute to the enjoyment of human rights, inter alia through investment, employment creation and the stimulation of economic growth, but also recognises that the responsible operation of transnational corporations and other business enterprises and effective national legislation should contribute to the promotion of respect for human rights and assist in channelling the benefits of business towards this goal.

Resolution 8/7. Mandate of the Special Representative of the Secretary General on the Issue of Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises
This Resolution addresses the need to supplement national legislation and implementation to mitigate the negative impact of globalization on vulnerable economies so that they might fully realize the benefits of globalization and/or derive maximally the benefits of activities of transnational corporations and other business enterprises. It therefore addresses governance gaps at the national, regional and international levels.

Resolution 17/4: Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises
This Resolution emphasizes that transnational corporations and other business enterprises have a responsibility to respect human rights, and recognizes that proper regulation, including through national legislation, of transnational corporations and other business enterprises and their responsible operation can contribute to the promotion, protection and fulfilment of and respect for human rights and assist in channelling the benefits of business towards contributing to the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Protect, Respect and Remedy: a Framework for Business and Human Rights
This is the framework adopted during a Regional Consultation Held by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprise. It provides a conceptual and policy framework “to anchor the business and human rights debate, and to help guide all relevant actors.” The framework comprises three core principles: the state duty to protect against human rights abuses by third parties, including business; the corporate responsibility to respect human rights; and the need for greater access by victims to effective remedies.

UN Global Compact: 10 Principles
These principles offer guidance for businesses the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption. They are derived from: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, The International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and The United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Implementing the UN “Protect, Respect and Remedy” Framework
The Framework is based on three pillars. The first is the State duty to protect against human rights abuses by third parties, including business enterprises, through appropriate policies, regulation, and adjudication. The second is the corporate responsibility to respect human rights, which means that business enterprises should act with due diligence to avoid infringing on the rights of others and to address adverse impacts with which they are involved. The third is the need for greater access by victims to effective remedy, both judicial and non-judicial.

OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
The OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises are far reaching recommendations for responsible business conduct that 42 adhering governments – representing all regions of the world and accounting for 85% of foreign direct investment – encourage their enterprises to observe wherever they operate.