New UN-mandate on human rights and business
The United Nations' Human Rights Council has decided to renew and strengthen the mandate of the Working Group on Business and Human Rights for a period of three years. The move shows the UN's commitment to protect human rights from adverse impacts of business operations.
Dr. Margaret Jungk, based at the Danish Institute for Human Rights, has been confirmed as member of the working group together with four other experts.
- This is an tremendous opportunity to advance the human rights and business agenda. We are at a stage of global development where people realise that companies have enormous influence on human rights – and the Human Rights Council demonstrates its focus on this matter with the decision, says Margaret Jungk.
Focus on remedy and national plans
With the new mandate, new areas of focus will be furthered by the working group. The Human Rights Council emphasised the need to step up efforts to secure remedy for the victims of human rights violations due to companies' endeavours.
- The right to remedy is a priority for the coming years. We will also strive to emphasise that the national action plans, that the states develop, will good, robust and addressing the right issues, Jungk explains.
National Action Plans are plans developed by states to tackle the impact of businesses on the human rights situation in the country. The Human Rights Council support the Working Group's focus on the action plans.
Guiding Principles lead the way
As a steady pillar on which the working group's efforts are based, are the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
The principles are the only mechanism to tackle the social responsibility of companies', explains Allan Lerberg Jørgensen, director of the institute's Human Rights and Business Department.
- The last 10 to 15 years have shown that corporate social responsibility does not work unless the states define the playing field. The guiding principles on business and human rights set the framework for this and the working group helps the states in setting clear, well defined rules – fair for all, Lerberg Jørgensen says.
The news that Jungk, based at the Danish Institute for Human Rights (and department director prior to her UN Working Group engagement), has had her adviser role renewed is received with a smile at the institute.
- We are very proud of the work that Margaret – and indeed the whole group - has done for the UN and the field of human rights and business. And we look forward to continued cooperation, says Allan Lerberg Jørgensen.