UN Working Group on Business & Human Rights convenes expert consultation on the role of business in transitional justice contexts (23 Sep); call for written inputs (deadline: 18 October)

 

 

The Working Group has recognized that improving access to remedy (pillar III of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights) in situations of post-conflict transitional justice is complex but necessary. As the Working Group explained in its report on business, human rights and conflict presented to the 2020 UN General Assembly, in situations of transitional justice “businesses have a responsibility to remedy their past behaviour” and “should engage with relevant transitional justice processes and contribute to truth, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence where appropriate.” How this should occur is sometimes unclear for states, businesses, and civil society, however.

Invitation: UN Working Group on Business & Human Rights convenes expert consultation on the role of business in transitional justice contexts (23 Sep)

As part of its ongoing work focused on business and human rights in conflict-affected areas, the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights is developing a guidance note that will include practical recommendations for those engaged in the design and implementation of remediation processes in transitional justice contexts. To help inform the forthcoming guidance, the Working Group invites relevant experts (including academics, business, civil society, government and UN representatives) to participate a consultation on Thursday 23 Sept 23 from 13:00 to 15:00 via Zoom. The discussion will address questions such as the relationship between reparations, development and peacebuilding; how to incentivize business participation in transitional justice; understanding business responsibility; practical implications for non-judicial grievance mechanisms; broader reflections and lessons learned.

The consultation is hosted by the Geneva Academy for International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.

Registration: https://geneva-academy-ch.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0uceyqqTwtGNIYcgG8iFCIZS3KB6IZu5YL

The Working Group has also issued a call for written inputs (deadline: 18 October).

The Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises (also referred to as the Working Group on Business and Human Rights) was established by the Human Rights Council in 2011 by resolution 17/4. The Council renewed the Working Group’s mandate in 2014 (resolution 26/22), 2017 (resolution 35/7) and 2020 (resolution 44/15).

As set out in resolution 17/4, the Working Group has a mandate promote, disseminate and implement the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The group is also mandated to exchange and promote good practices and lessons learned on the implementation of the Guiding Principles, and to assess and make recommendations thereon.