UN experts issue new guidelines for businesses working in conflict-affected regions
GENEVA (July 27, 2022) – Doing business in conflict-affected areas means that business enterprises have a responsibility to conduct human rights due diligence and adopt a conflict-sensitive approach to all decisions affecting affected populations , UN experts said today.
In collaboration with the University of Essex and the University of Virginia, the UN Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises officially released new guidance for businesses operating in regions affected by the conflict.
Her report entitled “Implementation of the Third Pillar: Lessons from Transitional Justice” (A/HRC/50/40/Add.4) analyzes how states have used transitional justice mechanisms to address business responsibility for their role in conflicts, and how relevant concepts and standards of reparation have addressed business-related human rights abuses.
The appendix of the report sets out the Guidelines for the Design and Implementation of Reparations Programs in Business and Human Rights”, which emphasize the need for reparations processes to be victim-centred.
“The Working Group report provides recommendations for the implementation of Pillar III of the Guiding Principles in post-conflict and transitional justice scenarios,” said Anita Ramasastry, a member of the Working Group.
“Transitional justice and doing business in conflict-affected areas means that businesses have a responsibility to perform a heightened version of human rights due diligence in conflict-affected areas,” said Ramasastry. “Businesses working in these areas should adopt a conflict-sensitive approach in all decisions affecting rights holders,” she added.
The Working Group’s report to the General Assembly in 2020 (A/75/212) outlined practical measures that States and business enterprises should take to prevent and address business-related human rights abuse in conflict and post-conflict contexts. the conflict.
Based on that report, the Working Group and UNDP recently published instruction entitled “Enhancing human rights due diligence for business in conflict-affected contexts: a guide” on what an enhanced version of human rights due diligence would look like in different contexts and a “ responsible output” in situations where it is necessary.
“The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights do not require companies to walk away from every difficult context,” said Fernanda Hopenhaym, Chair of the UN Working Group. “They call for considered decision-making and support for those left behind, in addition to access to solutions,” she added.
ENDS
UNWorking Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprisesknown as the Working Group on Business and Human Rights**), Ms. Fernanda Hopenheim (Chairman), Ms. Pichamon Yeophantong (Vice President), Ms. Elzbieta Karska, and Mrs. Anita Ramasastry
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