Big issues - Business and Human Rights Centre

Labour rights

The latest news on labour rights and our work supporting and advancing the labour rights of workers in global supply chains.

Who Pays For The Crisis?

This portal focuses on the key intersection between supply chain resilience, purchasing practices and worker rights.

Migrant workers in global supply chains

Migrants are some of the world’s most vulnerable supply chain workers, at risk of exploitation across migration corridors - from recruitment, to employment and return.

Myanmar garment worker allegations database

Through collaboration with partners and allies inside and outside Myanmar, the Business and Human Rights Centre monitored the significant increase in labour and human rights abuses of garment workers across the country after the military takeover.

Natural resources and just energy transition

Energy, minerals, land and water sit at the heart of the transition to low-carbon economies, and at the start of every supply chain. However, the use of our planet's resources is all too often entwined with human rights abuse. At the other end of the value chain, renewable energy developers must also ensure they respect human rights to retain public support.
Find out why we must ensure that the transition is both fast and fair.

Shared prosperity models and Indigenous Peoples' leadership for a just transition

News and resources from Indigenous Peoples Rights International and the Business and Rights Centre exploring the significant opportunity of Indigenous co-ownership of renewable energy projects, for an energy transition that is fast, just and equitable.

Just energy transition principles for human rights in business and investment

Transition minerals and renewable energy in the Andes

Tech accountability

Technology offers powerful tools for society, but restrictions to digital freedom, and developments in artificial intelligence, automation and robotics, raise serious concerns about the impacts on human rights and the future of work.

Digital Freedom

Latest news and developments on declining digital freedom and key reports, guidance and tools

Gig economy

Human rights implications and legal and policy rights protection frameworks for gig economy workers

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Latest research and perspectives on the implications of AI for human rights

Human rights defenders and civic freedoms

Human rights defenders are at the forefront of creating a more equitable, sustainable and abundant world where rights are protected, people and nature thrive, and just economies can flourish. They share important information about human rights risks and impacts related to business operations and supply chains that is essential for company and investor due diligence. Yet, HRDs across the globe face attacks related to their vital human rights work. This hub compiles related key developments, shares guidance for companies and investors, and highlights positive business actions. It also links to our database of attacks and HRD interview series.

Land and environmental defenders

Labour rights defenders

Company and investor support for HRDs

Corporate legal accountability

Corporate legal accountability (CLA) considers the legal responsibility of companies for human rights abuses, including through legislation and litigation. This hub provides latest news, analysis, resources and cases on CLA to help advocates end corporate impunity for human rights abuses.

About the project

Key tools for legal accountability

A compilation of key resources to provide support for lawyers on corporate legal accountability issues, including the application of the UNGPs.

SLAPPs: Key resources

This page brings together resources (SLAPPs cases, legislation, reports etc.) on the legal defence against SLAPPs in an effort to end their use and to hold companies accountable for judicial harassment.

Governing business and human rights

Effective regulations are essential to drive corporate accountability for human rights abuses. This section draws together regulatory approaches from around the world, with a focus on UN instruments.

UN binding treaty

In June 2014, the UN Human Rights Council took steps to elaborate an international legally binding instrument to regulate the activities of transnational corporations and other business enterprises. Read about the latest developments and subscribe to our newsletter.

UN Guiding Principles

The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights are a set of guidelines for States and companies to prevent, address and remedy human rights abuses committed in business operations.

Mandatory due diligence

The growing worldwide movement to legally require companies to undertake human rights and environmental due diligence.

Gender, business and human rights

Applying an intersectional approach is the most powerful way to tackle unfair treatment and transform the status quo. Gender justice must lie at the heart of business and human rights.

Tools and guidance

Tools and guidance to strengthen connections between gender, business and human rights.

Research and analysis

Unpack the gendered dimensions of different issues.

Webinars, videos and podcasts

Watch and listen to different issues related to gender, business and human rights.

Global spotlight

Putting the spotlight on urgent and emergent issues for the business and human rights movement.

Israel's war on Gaza: an unfolding genocide

While the international community has immense responsibility to bring the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza to an end, secure the release of hostages and end occupation, business also has an immediate responsibility to ensure it is not contributing to the horrific killings of Palestinians in Gaza or exacerbating human suffering across the region.

Russian military aggression in Ukraine

The Russian military aggression against Ukraine puts a spotlight on businesses operating in the region and their human rights responsibilities. Civil society calls upon companies to conduct heightened human rights due diligence, while some businesses including financial institutions, tech platforms, oil and gas majors are taking steps towards a responsible exit from the Russian market.