National Human Rights Institutions and UN Global Compact Local Networks

ICC Working Group on Business and Human Rights W O R K I N G T O G E T H E R : National Human Rights Institutions and UN Global Compact Local Networks The objectives of this Fact Sheet are to: explain NHRIs to UNGC participants and GCLNs; explain GCLNs to NHRIs; and help GCLNs and NHRIs identify synergies and opportunities at the national level in promoting business respect for and support of human rights in line with UNGC Principles 1 and 2. A Shared Vision: Respecting Human Rights National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) Local Networks (GCLNs) both have important roles to play in strengthening business respect for and support of human rights. NHRIs and Local Networks share an aim: helping business understand and give effect to their human rights responsibilities and commitments. This common goal provides a strong foundation for NHRIs and Local Networks to explore opportunities for collaboration and mutual support. The first two principles of the UN Global Compact, which are derived from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, are: Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and Principle 2: Business should make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses. All ten Principles of the UN Global Compact can be seen online: http://www.unglobalcompact.org/aboutthegc/ TheTenPrinciples/index.html. UN Global Compact Human Rights Working Group In 2006, the UN Global Compact Office established a Human Rights Working Group (HRWG) to help advance the business and human rights agenda within the framework of the Global Compact. The HRWG is multi-stakeholder in composition, comprised of UNGC companies, GCLN representatives with particular interest in business and human rights, individuals from international organisations, civil society organisations active in business and human rights, academia, and business networks. The HRWG provides strategic direction for the UNGC s human rights work. This includes helping to highlight emerging human rights issues as well as identifying and promoting useful human rights tools, resources, and good practices for business. The HRWG is particularly focused on the UN Guiding Principles on business and human rights. For more information please see: http://www.businesshumanrights.org/specialrep Portal/Home Another key objective of the HRWG is to support Local Networks and their efforts to promote respect and support of human rights in the business context. 1

Introducing UNGC Local Networks UNGC and Human Rights The Global Compact takes a two pronged practical approach to business and human rights awareness raising, focusing on: 1) What human rights are and how they are relevant for business; and 2) What business can do within their own operations and more broadly in their areas of influence to respect and support human rights. What are Local Networks? GCLNs are organised by UNGC participants and stakeholders in a given country, who come together voluntarily to advance the UNGC and its Ten Principles. GCLNs serve an essential role in anchoring and advancing the UNGC within various national contexts, taking into account their distinct national economic, social, development and cultural profiles. What do GCLNs do? Though very diverse in their activities, all GCLNs share the same mission: to advance the ten UNGC Principles within participating businesses in their strategy, operations and spheres of influence. By the end of 2011, there were more than 110 GCLNs and 126 NHRIs. Many already have capacity in business and human rights. The first two principles of the UN Global Compact, which are derived from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, are: Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and Principle 2: Business should make sure they are not complicit in human rights abuses. Human rights remain one of the most challenging areas of corporate citizenship. In part, because human rights were traditionally the concern of states. Increasingly, however, more companies have come to realise the need to address human rights issues within their own operations and activities, for legal, moral, and/or commercial reasons. Why should companies get involved in a GCLNs? Joining Local Networks gives companies the opportunity to engage a wide variety of stakeholders including businesses as well as representatives from civil society, government, academia, and professional associations to exchange ideas and share experiences towards implementing the Principles of the UNGC. All UNGC participating companies are encouraged to get involved in their Local Networks. Additionally, when relevant, parent companies can facilitate engagement by subsidiaries. As described in the Case Studies section of this Fact Sheet, GCLNs can become key players in increasing awareness and mobilising business activities on sustainability and human rights in their national context. Local Networks are a good conduit to help UNGC participants think globally and act locally. 2 There have never been more Local Networks. And even more gratifying, there have never been more established Local Networks with a wider range of stakeholders firmly rooted in their communities and committed to stay the course. There has also never been a larger pool of experiences readily available for Local Network participants, who cut across all stakeholder groups large companies, small businesses, universities, labour unions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). From GCLN s Report, 2010. For more information on GCLNs, please see: http://www.unglobalcompact.org/networksaroundtheworld/

Introducing National Human Rights Institutions What are NHRIs? NHRIs are independent, expert bodies on human rights established through national laws or constitutions. NHRIs have a legal mandate to engage in activities to promote and protect human rights. These activities can include outreach and human rights education. NHRIs are not NGOs (nongovernment organisations). They are public bodies, part of the state but independent of the national government. Their roles are distinct yet complementary to those of NGOs and governments. To guarantee their independence, pluralism, and effectiveness, NHRIs are subject to periodic peer review and accreditation. NHRIs and the United Nations The UN strongly supports NHRIs. The UN General Assembly s 1993 Principles Relating to the Status and Functioning of National Institutions (Paris Principles) set minimum international standards on independence and core functions of NHRIs. The UN Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR) provides institutional support for NHRIs. OHCHR helps to establish and/or strengthen NHRIs, and to build their capacity to work effectively and independently in compliance with the Paris Principles. The UN Development Programme (UNDP) also works closely with individual NHRIs across the globe. NHRIs: Building corporate respect for human rights In 2011, the UN Human Rights Council welcomed the NHRIs roles in relation to human rights and business, and encouraged them to build their capacity on business and human rights. The 2011 UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights also highlight NHRIs role across the UN Protect, Respect, Remedy framework on business and human rights: Pillar 1: NHRIs can help to align national law and regulations on business with human rights; Pillar 2: NHRIs can provide expert, independent advice to business on human rights issues; and Pillar 3: NHRIs can facilitate mediation or conciliation of complaints about human rights and business issues. NHRIs: Stepping up engagement with business In October 2010, NHRIs adopted the Edinburgh Declaration on Business and Human Rights. This clearly signals NHRIs joint commitment to supporting better understanding and respect for human rights in business operations. In particular, the Declaration encourages NHRIs to consider partnerships between NHRIs and GCLNs, and outreach to government, businesses and civil society. Please read the Edinburgh Declaration: http://nhri.ohchr.org/en/themes/business HR/Pages/10th%20%20Biennial%20 Conference%20of%20the%20ICC.aspx In addition, regional networks of NHRIs have recently committed to taking action to support implementing of human rights in the business sphere: Network of African National Human Rights Institutions: http://www.nanhri.org/ Asia Pacific Forum of NHRIs: http://www.asiapacificforum.net/ Network of NHRIs of the American Continent: http://www.americaddhh.org/ European Group of NHRIs: http://nhri.ohchr.org/en/pages/default.aspx UN General Assembly Resolution on National institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights: http://www.un.org/documents/ ga/res/48/a48r134.htm For more information on NHRIs, please see the ICC website http://nhri.ohchr.org/en/pages/default.aspx 3

W O R K I N G T O G E T H E R : Opportunities Map GCLNs Direct Engagement with Business Convening National Dialogues Legislative Frameworks Cooperating with Civil Society Partnering with International Organisations Information, Education and Awareness Raising NHRIs Legislative frameworksworks GCLNs and NHRIs can promote more effective implementation of governments human rights obligations at the national level, e.g. through information exchange and awareness raising on relevant legislation and policy measures. Direct engagement with business GCLNs can work with NHRIs to coordinate outreach to national businesses and business associations to promote engagement on human rights issues, e.g. through multi-stakeholder platforms. Dialogue events also can help identify business related human rights impacts and opportunities, and clarify human rights standards that business is expected to uphold. Human rights due diligence tools GCLNs and NHRIs can promote learning at the national level among businesses and other key stakeholders regarding tools and methods that businesses can use to implement their responsibility to respect and commitment to support human rights and to undertake human rights due diligence. Partnering with international organisations NHRIs and GCLNs can jointly facilitate stronger dialogue on human rights and business with United Nations agencies at the national level (e.g. OHCHR, ILO, UNEP, UNDP and UNIDO) as well as with relevant regional institutions, leading to identification of partnering project opportunities. Convening national dialogues NHRIs and GCLNs can act as conveners for discussions among business, government bodies, and other stakeholders on important human rights and business issues at the national level, building understanding and identifying common challenges and solutions. Cooperating with civil society GCLNs engagement with NHRIs may help liaising with civil society organisations, especially those working in the fields of corporate responsibility, human rights, and development, to build a better environment for business respect and support for human rights. Information, education, and awareness raising NHRI and GCLNs can collaborate to develop platforms to provide information, education, research and public awareness on business and human rights issues for companies and other stakeholders. They can also co-host public events to stimulate awareness and engagement by business and communities on sustainability issues. 4

Partners in Promoting Human Rights C A S E S T U D I E S F R O M A R O U N D T H E W O R L D Developing human rights tools for business Denmark, Kenya, Vietnam, Bangladesh The Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) is Denmark s NHRI. DIHR worked with Danish Industry, the Danish Industrialisation Fund for Developing Countries, the Danish Ministry of Economic and Business Affairs and the UNGC Secretariat to develop the UN Global Compact Self Assessment Tool. This Tool allows companies to measure their performance on the Ten Global Compact Principles. It aims to help companies identify and address their most important human rights challenges, and to report on their work through the UNGC annual Communication on Progress. It was launched in June 2010 at the UNGC Leaders Summit in New York. Collaboration among the partners enabled expert coverage of all four UN Global Compact areas: human rights, labour, environment and corruption. The tool was road tested by UN Global Compact Networks in Bangladesh, Vietnam and Kenya. DIHR contributed expertise to the development of the human rights dimension of the Self Assessment Tool. To do this, DIHR used knowledge obtained through work with multinational corporations and civil society organisations in the business and human rights field. For further information, please see DIHR website: http://humanrightsbusiness.org/ Global Compact Self Assessment Tool: http://www.globalcompactselfassessment.org/ NHRI support for GCLNs start-up Australia The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) gave support to the formation of the Global Compact Network Australia (GCNA) in 2009. Subsequently, the AHRC and GCNA have continued to work to achieve common goals and advance business understanding of, and respect for, human rights. AHRC and GCNA are collaborating to develop resources for businesses to help them apply human rights standards to their everyday activities. For example, AHRC together with GCNA participants across a range of sectors are working together on a series of Business and Human Rights Fact Sheets. AHRC also supported the launch of the GCNA s Human Rights Working Group for Business in December 2010. In 2011, the AHRC outlined its programme of work on business and human rights and noted that the business community is a critical player in achieving its strategy for working towards a fairer Australia. AHRC and GCNA co-convening a multi-stakeholder forum on human rights and business issues in 2011. For further information, please see the AHRC website: http://www.humanrights.gov.au/human_rights/corporate_ social_responsibility/index.html GCNA website: http://thehub.ethics.org.au/ungc Supporting national dialogue on food security South Africa In February 2009, the South African GCLN, the National Business Initiative, and the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) worked together to organise a multi-stakeholder seminar to identify scope for coordinated food security interventions by business, government, and civil society. The seminar considered innovative approaches to better safeguard South Africa s food security situation. Participants included the Food Security Directorate of the National Department of Agriculture, the Development Bank of Southern Africa, Action Aid and Reos Partners. For more information on SAHRC, please see http://www.sahrc.org.za/home/, and the National Business Initiative: http://www.nbi.org.za/ 5

Building Awareness and Identifying Common Challenges South Korea South Korea s National Human Rights Commission (NHRCK) and the Global Compact Korea Network (GCKN) are collaborating to promote awareness of business and human rights issues: 2008 Launching the collaboration NHRCK and GCKN co-hosted an international conference on human rights and socially responsible investment. 2009 Discussing the issues NHRCK, GCKN, and other stakeholders co-hosted a Business Roundtable on the Human Rights Principles of UN Global Compact and Business Management Integrated with Human Rights. Roundtable participants from business, NGOs and academia took part in an interactive dialogue on how to integrate the human rights principles of the UN Global Compact into business activities, including by using new strategic frameworks in business management. Topics for Roundtable sessions included: trends in business management on human rights integration, implications of human rights business management of non-korean companies and case studies on local business human rights practices. 2011 Identifying the challenges During the Roundtable, NHRCK and GCKN identified challenges for the future development of human rights and business initiatives in South Korea. These included the need to increase understanding of human rights issues within the business sector, how to improve senior leadership engagement; promoting dialogue on human rights across industry sectors; and the need to find ways. to bridge gaps between stakeholders diverse perspectives and expectations (e.g. between corporate managers and public policy actors). Find your National Human Rights Institution and UNGC Local Network National human rights institutions: http://nhri.ohchr.org/en/contact/nhris/pages/default.aspx UNGC Local Networks: http://www.unglobalcompact.org/networksaroundtheworld/index.html The real action in harnessing business potential to advance human rights takes place on the ground. And that s where both UN Global Compact Local Networks and NHRIs operate - making it so important that they work together. John Ruggie former UN Special Rapporteur on Business and Human Rights The Global Compact Korea Network in cooperation with the NHRIs is continuously endeavoring to promote the business management integrated with human rights. Through extensive collaboration with the NHRIs, the GCKN has been able to promote a business culture in Korea that respects and values human rights. Chulki Ju Secretary General and Vice President of the Global Compact Korea Network I sincerely hope to see the active implementation of cooperation between the NHRIs and the GCLN in order to foster business respect for human rights. Byungchul Hyun President of National Human Rights Commission of Korea 6 This Fact Sheet has been prepared by the Danish Institute for Human Rights on behalf of the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions, along with the UN Global Compact Office, and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for HumanRights.