UN Framework and Guiding Principles Business and Human Rights

For some years, business leaders, civil society and governments have been exploring the issue of human rights and business. Multinational, national and local businesses, including finance sector organisations, are not direct subjects of the international human rights treaties, which assign duties to governments.

The UN Framework and Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights

For some years, business leaders, civil society and governments have been exploring the issue of human rights and business. Multinational, national and local businesses, including finance sector organisations, are not direct subjects of the international human rights treaties, which assign duties to governments. However, a consensus was emerging that within their 'sphere of influence' businesses have a role to play in relation to human rights laws and principles.

In 2005, Professor John Ruggie was appointed as the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Representative on the issue of 'human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises'. His mandate included identifying and clarifying standards of responsibility and accountability for businesses with regard to human rights.

In 2008, Ruggie put forward a Framework on Business and Human Rights. This rests on three pillars:

  • the state duty to protect against human rights abuses by third parties, including business
  • the corporate responsibility to respect human rights
  • greater access by victims to effective remedy, both judicial and non-judicial
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