During the 35th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, a side event will be organized on strengthening corporate accountability in the supply chain on the 9th of June.

“With the unanimous adoption of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights by the UN Human Rights Council in 2011, there has been increasing international attention on business responsibility to respect human rights. Motivated by the international pressure from civil society groups, investors and shareholders, many businesses have made preliminary steps to adopt policies and procedures and implement due diligence, often in the name of sustainability. However, corporate accountability for labor and human rights abuses by business enterprises has been lagging behind for a range of factors, including weak domestic law and lack of understanding or application of international legal frameworks. This is exacerbated in the context of transnational supply chains.”

Objectives
In light of the presentation by the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights of their country visit reports of South Korea and Mexico, this event will be an important opportunity to review challenges, discuss the recommendations of the Working Group, and strategize about ways to promote their implementation.

During the workshop, three topics will be discussed:

  • Legal and practical difficulties faced by workers in supply chains globally, specifically with regard to access and remedy.
  • Review both the potential and and the limitations of the UN Guiding Principles in this area, including the extent to which the UN Working group has sought to address Pillar III through its country visits
  • Identify measures to strengthen corporate accountability in supply chains, including through the active involvement of governments, businesses and civil society/human rights defenders

Location and time:

Room VIII, Palais des Nations
Geneva, Switzerland
15:30 – 17:00, 9 June 2017

For more information on the program agenda, see:

Flyer UN HRC 35 side-event