Human Rights Due Diligence: An overview
In 2011, the international community unanimously endorsed the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), which clarify what is expected from companies and governments when it comes to human rights. But how best to proceed?
The UNGPs establish that companies have a duty to respect human rights, and must have in place processes that enable them to identify the impacts their operations have (or could have) on human rights of a wide range of people (including people working for the company, product end-users, and communities located near corporate activities).
Once they know the impacts, companies must show that they know, and take actions to prevent, mitigate, and account for how they address those impacts. Companies must also address any adverse human rights impacts with which they are involved, including impacts attributed to their suppliers, subcontractors, and other business partners.