Summary:

The UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights held its first session from 16 - 20 December, including an introductory exchange with NGOs.

http://www.crin.org/resources/infodetail.asp?id=27266

The Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises held its first session in Geneva last week, during which its five independent experts [were to] determine the Group's key thematic priorities and activities.

• Read more about the UN Working Group and its mandate

NGO exhange

On the final day of the closed meeting, NGOs were invited to participate in a informal exchange with members of the UN Working Group. 

The following NGOs made oral interventions:

• Nadia Bernaz, Middlesex Univ. Human Rights & Business Programme (UK) [DOC]
• Berne Declaration, European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights [DOC]
• CSR Europe [PDF]
• DCAF (Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces) [DOC]
• Global Network Initiative [PDF]
• Intl. Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion & Protection of Human Rights [DOC]
• Intl. Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) [DOC]
• Intl. Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) [PDF] - see also Briefing note for UN Working Group: "Indigenous peoples and transnational corporations and other business enterprises", prepared by IWGIA, RAIPON (Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North), Indigenous Peoples' Links (PIPlinks), CODPI, Almáciga
• Latin American Mining Monitoring Programme [DOC]
• OECD Watch [PDF]

You can also view the list of written submissions sent prior to the meeting.

• View the list
  
  

Children's rights particpation

Child rights advocates have an important role to play in ensuring children's rights are high on the agenda in the coming months of the Working Group's work, especially due to the disappointing lack of focus on children's rights in the Guiding Principles.

• Read CRIN's statement.

We will be following the progress of the Working Group in the coming months.

Further Information

• Read more about the new Working Group
• Read the Guiding Principles
• Read more about the process and NGO criticism
• Read CRIN's statement lamenting the lack of focus on children

Previous Members news items

• 24/01/2012: SUDAN: Deadline for Independent Expert nominations extended
• 19/01/2012: DR CONGO: CRC Committee reviews State's progress on armed conflict
• 19/01/2012: ROYAUME-UNIS : Quand le Royaume-Uni réexpédiait en France des enfants clandestins
• 19/01/2012: RDC: Reconstruire la vie des enfants associés aux groupes armés
• 18/01/2012: INDIGENOUS AND MINORITY GROUPS: UN publishes latest newsletter

Organisation Contact Details:

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Civil Society Section
Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Palais Wilson, Office 2-031
Geneva, Switzerland


Tel: Tel. +41-(0)22-917-9230
Email: Email: civilsociety@ohchr.org
Website: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/AboutUs/Pages/CivilSociety.aspx

Last updated 26/01/2012 11:56:14

Please note that these reports are hosted by CRIN as a resource for Child Rights campaigners, researchers and other interested parties. Unless otherwise stated, they are not the work of CRIN and their inclusion in our database does not necessarily signify endorsement or agreement with their content by CRIN.