"Expert round table on elements of a possible binding international instrument on business and human rights - Summary report", 11 Jul 2017

...The Chairperson-Rapporteur of the working group [on a proposed binding instrument] was assigned the task of preparing “elements for the draft legally binding instrument for substantive negotiations at the commencement of the third session of the working group"...due to take place in October 2017...

With a view to assisting in this process, an expert round table was convened to consider possible elements of a binding international instrument on business and human rights... [Its] purpose...was not necessarily to achieve consensus...nor to develop a position statement on...elements of the proposed treaty... [P]articipants were invited to be guided by two key criteria:...the value of a particular approach in contributing to the protection of human rights...[and] diplomatic viability...

This report provides a summary of the discussions that took place at the expert meeting...under broad thematic headings...

[Contents:

I. Introduction

II. Strategic Considerations
     A. Potential State Parties
     B. Form and Purpose
     C. Relationship with UN Guiding Principles
     D. Stakeholder Participation

III. Substantive Elements
    A. General Issues
     - Which Rights?
     - Subjects of the Treaty

     B. State Duties
     - National Action Plans
     - Extraterritorial Regulation/Jurisdiction
     - Collaboration on Judicial Matters
     - Policy Coherence: Trade and Investment

     C. Business Responsibilities
     - Which Companies?
     - Parent/Subsidiary Relationships
     - Access to Remedies