"Corporate accountability: Draft resolution at UN Human Rights Council falls short"
The UN Human Rights Council risks falling behind the curve on business and human rights...The work of human rights defenders is central to accountability for business-related human rights abuses. They identify and document human rights violations and can play a role in developing and monitoring policies, engaging with business and supporting victims to seek remedy and justice...Globally, the work of defending against corporate human rights abuse is incredibly dangerous, and often deadly. Some businesses have started to respond. For example, global sportswear company adidas recently released a corporate policy on human rights defenders...Unfortunately, a resolution nominally focused on issues of access to remedy, which will be considered later this week by the Council, overlooks these key elements...Pointing to a statement delivered last week in a dialogue with the Working Group on Business and Human Rights, ISHR and BHRRC emphasize that the UN mechanisms are still essential tools for promoting full respect for human rights by both State and non-State actors.