Strengthening respect for human rights by businesses in Burkina Faso

Purpose

Over the past decade, Burkina Faso has seen large and rapid growth in the mining sector. While mining activities are an important source of livelihoods, they have been associated with significant adverse impacts including the human rights abuses, environmental degradation, and gender inequality.

The project aims at fostering responsible business conduct in Burkina Faso. By working with partners in Burkina Faso to research the adverse human rights impacts of the extractive industry, the project aims at documenting the risks associated with the industry and ultimately help stakeholders with identifying avenues for policy improvement.  The project further seeks to enhance the awareness of various stakeholders in Burkina Faso including state actors, civil society organisations and businesses on the international and national standards on business and human rights and promote dialogue between them.

The difference we make

We support partners in documenting the key human rights impacts in the extractive industry in Burkina Faso and foster multi-stakeholder dialogues on business and human rights.

Activities

A comprehensive study on the human rights risks in the extractive industry of Burkina Faso

In collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, Civic Promotion and Human Rights, we are facilitating the conduct of a study exploring the human rights impacts of the extractive businesses. The field study, piloted by a multi-stakeholder committee, will capture the reality of human rights impacts in the extractive industry and associated security industry and analyse gaps and opportunities for an improved governance of the sector with respect to human rights.

Dialogue for the implementation of policy recommendations

Based on the findings of the study, we will, in collaboration with our partners, identify and implement further strategic actions suitable to improving the governance of human rights in the extractive industry. Based on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we will convene actors (businesses, governments, civil society organisations) to dialogue on needed policy measures to implement responsible business conduct.

Supporting the national human rights institution

By means of training and knowledge sharing, we continue supporting the  capacity of National Human Rights Institution in Burkina Faso (CNDH) in dealing with business related human rights issues and increase knowledge on the international and national norms and standards on business and human rights.

Partners

• The Ministry of Justice, Human Rights and Civic Promotion (MJDHPC)
• The National Human Rights Commission (CNDH)

Funding

Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA)