The NHRI Working Group on Business and Human Rights

National Human Rights Institutions are independent, professional bodies established under the 1993 UN Paris Principles. Their primary function is to monitor their national government, including commenting on draft legislation and reporting on the domestic implementation of their home state’s human rights commitments. 110 countries have established NHRIs, with 60 maintaining an ‘A-level’ accreditation, meaning they meet the highest standards of independence and output.

As NHRIs have grown in number and influence, many have begun to undertake national and international human rights projects, both alone and with international partners.

Following an initiative led by the Danish Institute for Human Rights during 2008 and 2009, a thematic working group on the issue of business and human rights was established in August 2009 under the International Coordinating Committee of NHRIs. The purpose of the Working Group is to encourage collaboration between NHRIs and ensure that the issue of human rights and business is included in international frameworks.

In August 2009, DIHR was appointed chair and permanent secretariat of the NHRI Working Group on Business and Human Rights (WGBHR) for the 2009-2011 term. The Working Group is composed of nine voting members drawn from all world regions, including a representative of the ICC chair.

The regional members are:
Africa: Kenya and Togo
Americas: Nicaragua and Venezuela
Asia-Pacific: Jordan and Korea
Europe: Denmark and Scotland

The Working Group has the following mission:

‘The NHRI Working Group on Business and Human Rights facilitates collaboration among National Human Rights Institutions in relation to strategic planning, joint capacity building and agenda-setting in the field of business and human rights, in order to assist National Human Rights Institutions in promoting corporate respect and support for international human rights principles; and in strengthening human rights protection and remediation of abuses in the corporate sector in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders at the domestic, regional and international levels.’

The WGBHR is the first thematic working group under the ICC. The WGHRB aims to utilize the joint capacity of NHRIs in the human rights and business field, including a strong role in local processes as well as leveraging the formal standing of the ICC within the UN system.

As such, the WGHRB has been mandated by the ICC General Assembly to pursue activities within three mandate areas:

Mandate area I: Strategic Planning
The Working Group will facilitate the inclusion of business and human rights issues into NHRI baseline research and strategic planning, and provide a platform for regional and international collaboration on joint NHRI programmes.

Mandate area II: Capacity Building and Resource Sharing
The Working Group will facilitate development of NHRI staff in relation to business and human rights issues and provide a platform for the exchange of expertise and best practices, and for the joint development of tools and materials.

Mandate area III: Agenda Setting and Outreach
The Working Group will facilitate ICC and NHRI participation in key domestic, regional and international developments in the business and human rights field. This includes providing support for ICC and NHRI outreach to stakeholders including governments, UN bodies, multilateral institutions, the business community and civil society.

As chair and permanent secretariat of the Working Group, the Danish Institute for Human Rights will continue to convene meetings and disseminate information.

For more information, contact Claire O’Brian: .