Holding States Accountable for Implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights

25 March 2022

Our new Working Paper Strengthening State Accountability on Business and Human Rights at International Level examines existing mechanisms at the national, regional and international levels for holding states accountable for their performance in implementing the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). In doing so, the paper analyses gaps and opportunities and formulates a series of recommendations to improve this accountability.

‘Ten years after the UNGPs adoption – and as highlighted by the UNGPs 10+ Roadmap for the Next Decade of Business and Human Rights – it is key to ensure that proper implementation mechanisms are in place’ explains Felix Kirchmeier, Manager of Policy Studies at the Geneva Academy.

From National Action Plans to Peer Reviews

The paper analyzes the role, shortcomings and potential for accountability of national action plans on business and human rights, of the work of UN human rights mechanisms, as well as of peer review initiatives like the OECD. It develops specific recommendations to enhance accountability, notably via the development of implementation indicators and a centralized database to track and evaluate progress over time.

‘This paper will be of interest to policy-makers and state representatives who try to install stronger, albeit ‘soft law’ mechanisms for accountability’ underlines Felix Kirchmeier.

Part of our Support to the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights

This paper forms part of our research that accompanied the development of the UNGPs 10+ Roadmap for the Next Decade of Business and Human Rights by the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights.

It also complements our research on disruptive technologies and rights-based resilience that supports the development of regulatory and policy responses to human rights challenges linked to digital technologies, including vis the implementation of the UNGPs in the technology space.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

Geneva Academy News

New Composition of the Geneva Academy Board

18 September 2024

The Geneva Academy’s Board has been recomposed with Professor Christian Bovet as the new president, who was recently welcomed at Villa Moynier by the executive committee.

Read more

quadcopter drone News

New Report Highlights Risks Posed by Autonomous Weapons Systems Proliferation to State and Non-State Actors

21 August 2024

Our latest research brief, 'Sending Up a Flare: Autonomous Weapons Systems Proliferation Risks to Human Rights and International Security' examines the proliferation of autonomous weapons systems and consequent risks to security and human rights.

Read more

Event

World Congress on Enforced Disappearances

15-16 January 2025

The Geneva Human Rights Platform is a partner in the first edition of this congress following the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance

Read more

54nd session of the Human Rights Council. Training

Executive course for Diplomats: Leading in the Human Rights Council

15-17 January 2025

This executive course, tailored for Geneva-based diplomats and co-organized with the support of the Swiss FDFA, addresses the negotiation practices at the multilateral level, by taking the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council as an example of formal and informal negotiation and decision-making processes by an international intergovernmental body.

Read more

Un plate with Rapporteur Spécial written on it Project

Support to UN Special Procedures

Started in June 2020

Read more

Cover Page of Research Brief Publication

War on Minorities’ Under the Guise of Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism

published on December 2024

Beatrice Meretti

Read more