Learning call: BHR WG – Human Rights Defenders
Recording of the event available
Working Group on Business and Human Rights
The Working Group on Business and Human Rights was established by GANHRI in March 2009. It held its first meeting in Copenhagen in August 2009.
In 2011, the UN Human Rights Council welcomed the important role of NHRIs established in accordance with the Paris Principles in relation to business and human rights, and encouraged them to further develop their capacity to fulfill that role effectively.
Purpose
The purpose of the Working Group is to:
- Create capacity building actions for NHRI and regional networks on business and human rights, including in the priority areas identified by NHRIs;
- Strengthen NHRI advocacy in international and regional events on business and human rights and enhance NHRI visibility and communication on relevant information and best practices on business and human rights.
Current Membership
The Working Group is composed of 8 GANHRI members; namely two voting members from each of the four GANHRI regional networks, and a representative of the GANHRI Chairperson designated by him or her, supported by the GANHRI Head Office:
- Chile – Instituto Nacional de Derechos Humanos (Chair)
- Germany – Deutsches Institut für Menschenrechte
- Morocco – Conseil National des Droits de l’Homme
- Portugal – Provedor de Justicia
- Northern Ireland – Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission
- Bolivia – Defensoria del Pueblo
- Ecuador – Defensor del Pueblo
- India – National Human Rights Commission
- Philippines – Commission on Human Rights
- Malawi – Human Rights Commission
Recent Activities
BHR Event in AM 2021
Business and Human Rights Event during the GANHRI 2021 Annual Meeting
Virtual Workshop- March 18, 2021
Virtual Workshop on NHRIs’ actions for the next decade of implementation of the UNGPs.
Recent submissions and reports
Additional Resources
BHR e-learning for NHRIs
A course designed to introduce learners to the field of business and human rights and to consider how national human rights institutions can apply their mandate to business and human rights.
Edinburgh Declaration
In 2010, the Edinburgh Declaration articulated NHRIs and their role and commitments in advancing human rights in the context of business activities and emphazised the important role they can play in addressing corporate-related human rights challenges, both at the international, regional and national level.
CHRP National Guidance on BHR
The the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines launched the National Guidance Document on Business and Human Rights co-developed with other CSOs and members of the academe. This guidance document seeks to address the gap in the private sector’s understanding of their role in the respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights in the country, particularly the importance and relevance of embedding gender perspectives in their business operations.