Joint Statement on Business & Human Rights to the United Nations Human Rights Council
The International Organisation of Employers (IOE), the International Chamber of Commerce and the Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) to the OECD welcome the final report of Professor John Ruggie, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG), on business and human rights.
Introduction
The International Organisation of Employers (IOE), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) to the OECD, which together form the most representative voice of global business, welcome the final report of Professor John Ruggie, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on business and human rights and the “Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Implementing the United Nations ‘Protect, Respect and Remedy’ Framework.” We also thank the SRSG for his dedication and tireless effort over the past six years to develop open communication and consensus among all stakeholders, which has been a significant part of his contribution to the way in which these issues are addressed.
Our organizations have actively engaged with the SRSG throughout his mandate by participating directly in numerous consultations, submitting joint comments or statements on various reports produced by the mandate, and engaging in ongoing communication with the SRSG and his team during the entire mandate. We welcomed his previous reports to the UN Human Rights Council and, like many others, endorsed the UN “Protect, Respect, Remedy” framework, which clearly distinguishes the roles of States and third parties, including business enterprises. We have also strongly supported the pragmatic approach adopted by the SRSG that allowed the framework to emerge through a robust and open consultation process involving all stakeholders.
