Business and human rights

Business activities generate jobs, revenue, innovation, goods and services needed to realise human rights. However, companies, whether local or multinational, publicly or privately operated, also have negative impacts on the rights of individuals and communities.

For more than 20 years, we have helped clarify and strengthen the roles and responsibilities of state and non-state actors with regard to human rights in the context of business activities.

International consensus on the matter was established with the landmark adoption of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the revision of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises in 2011. The global community is expecting businesses to respect, not undermine human rights.

We work with state actors including national human rights institutions as well as and business, financial and civil society actors to enhance business respect for human rights including through the development of smart policy and regulatory frameworks. Our thematic focus areas include: technology, finance and the green transition.