NHRIs commit to strengthening business and human rights

APF members, together with National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) around the world, are strengthening their efforts to safeguard human rights in relation to business activities, with a focus on climate change, digital technologies, and online civic space.

At the Annual Conference of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), more than 80 NHRIs unanimously endorsed a statement pledging to advance the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The statement highlighted the importance of addressing environmental concerns, digital advancements, and online civic engagement.

NHRIs committed to leveraging their unique mandates to promote and protect human rights, as well as to monitor, report, and handle complaints, ensuring the protection of human rights. They also committed to collaborating with businesses, governments, and their fellow NHRIs.

Following extensive discussions during the conference, the Outcome Statement emphasised the NHRIs' dedication to engaging with stakeholders across multiple sectors. This includes promoting sound policy measures related to the environment and climate change, monitoring online civic space and digital technologies, and advocating for a balanced mix of policy and regulatory measures.

Furthermore, NHRIs agreed to collaborate through GANHRI to share information, best practices, and address complaints with transnational human rights dimensions.

The GANHRI Annual Conference, held from 6-8 May in Geneva, brought together 250 participants from NHRIs, UN agencies, States, and civil society organisations. During the event, high-level representatives discussed critical issues and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing human rights globally.

GANHRI members also addressed challenges related to the discontinuation of hybrid modalities at UN human rights bodies in Geneva, advocating for live online modalities during all in-person meetings to ensure inclusive participation in all sessions throughout 2024.

The three-day event also included the regional meetings of the four NHRI networks, including the APF regional meeting which brought together APF members, observer NHRIs and other stakeholders. 

The meeting was an opportunity for APF Forum Councillors to consider GANHRI-related issues, review the operation of the APF over the previous six months and review the Operations Plan for the next 12 months, and discuss matters of mutual interest between member NHRIs, including the drafting of Guidelines on NHRIs in Conflict Situations.

Date: 29 May 2024