NHRC conference on ‘ Business and Human Rights’ on Jan 12

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, is organising a National Conference on ‘Business and Human Rights’ in collaboration with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) at BHEL, Bengaluru, on January 12, 2018. Justice H L Dattu, Chairperson, NHRC, will chair the conference. The objective of the conference is to discuss the national and international developments in the area of Business and Human Rights besides sharing experiences/views of the stakeholders.

The conference has been divided into three sessions: (I) Setting the Scene: State Duty to Protect Human Rights and Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights with a focus on Access to Remedy- Recent Global Developments, (II) Exploring Solutions in Business and Human Rights and (III) Develop National Action Plan (NAP) and Self Assessment Tool relating to Business and Human Rights for the use of business and industry for compliance on voluntary basis, according to an NHRC release.

The NHRC, India, has an important role to play in the area of business and human rights as it has been nominated by the Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (CFNHRI) to be the focal point for the subject of ‘Business and Human Rights’. Keeping this in mind, the Commission organized a meeting with Industry Federations/Organizations to discuss and prepare a roadmap of engagements with industry associations. This was followed by a series of meetings with Industry Federations/Organizations to encourage voluntary compliance of human rights Principles by the Business. It finally culminated with the development of a draft Self Assessment Tool to be used by industry on voluntary basis.

Recognizing the importance of human rights in businesses, Professor John Ruggie, former UN Special Representative to Secretary General for Business and Human Rights, developed a ‘Protect, Respect and Remedy framework along with Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights’. These Guiding principles were endorsed by Human Rights Council in June, 2011.