[this letter was orginially published on 20 October]

...With great respect, and with gratitude for Switzerland's support for my UN mandate and the Guiding Principes, I was disappointed by the Swiss Government's decision not to put forward a counter-proposal to the referendum Initiative on responsible business conduct. The subject is of immense importance for major Swiss companies and for Switzerland's own national brand... There is still an important opportunity in Switzerland for informed and thoughtful discussion of the issues being raised by the Initiative. I very much hope that the work of your Committee, and that of your parliamentary colleagues in the Foreign Affairs Committee, can help take advantage of this opportunity by supporting a constructive exchange between all stakeholders on how to best move forward...