Global conference to discuss business and human rights

National human rights institutions (NHRIs) from around the globe will gather in Scotland in October to examine the positive and negative effects of corporate activity on the rights, dignity and well-being of individuals and communities.

The International Coordinating Committee’s (ICC) 10th Biennial Conference, to be held in Edinburgh from 8-10 October 2010, will explore a broad range of issues under the theme of ‘Human Rights and Business’.

Leading speakers will examine practical questions facing NHRIs, including:

• how they can ensure that States protect individuals and communities against corporate abuse, through national laws, regulatory policies, state procurement and other mechanisms
• how they can work more effectively with the business sector to prevent abuses and also hold companies to account when abuses do occur
• how they can facilitate access to justice for victims and work with all stakeholders to build an environment where corporate human rights abuses diminish.

Professor John Ruggie, UN Special Representative to the Secretary General on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises, will be one of a number of keynote speakers at the conference.

Prof Ruggie will outline the ‘protect, respect, remedy’ framework for managing business and human rights challenges and how NHRIs can use their powers and mandate – such as investigation, complaint handling, education and advocating law reform – to help implement this approach.

Other conference sessions will look at current human rights practices adopted by corporations and governments, as well as the importance of forming partnerships with business, trade unions and other groups.

In addition, region-specific workshops will be held to discuss and develop strategies around areas of particular concern: child labour (Africa), right to a safe and healthy environment (Americas), human trafficking (Asia Pacific) and privitisation and public procurement (Europe).

The ICC Conference aims to deliver a number of concrete outcomes including outline Regional Action Plans for each of the four ICC regions on Human Rights and Business.

These will include prioritised practical actions to assist NHRIs to fulfil their mandates individually and collectively at regional level.

In addition, the conference will conclude with the adoption of the ‘Declaration of Edinburgh’, which will highlight key issues and identify priorities for the ICC and its members on human rights and business.

Previous ICC Conferences have been held in Kenya (2008; NHRIs and the administration of justice; 2008), Bolivia (2006; NHRIs and migration), Korea (2004; Upholding human rights during conflict and countering terrorism; 2004) and Denmark (2002; NHRIs and racial discrimination).

Find out more

• ICC 10th Biennial Conference – draft program and concept paper
• ICC Working Group on Business and Human Rights (established 2009)
• Human Rights, Corporate Accountability and Government Responsibility; Report of the APF’s Advisory Council of Jurists (2009)