Permanent Committee For Human Rights Hosts Event On Business And Human Rights With Government, UN Experts

Leading figures from government, civil society, and academia gathered on Wednesday for a fireside chat organized by the UAE Permanent Committee for Human Rights (PCHR), in collaboration with the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA) and with input from the British Institute of International and Comparative Law (BIICL). The event, which included representatives from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), explored the intersection between business and human rights.During the fireside chat, participants discussed the crucial role that businesses play in advancing human rights and Sustainable Development Goals. They examined international mechanisms that promote responsible business conduct, focusing on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and their application in various local and international contexts.Hind Alowais, Director of the PCHR, emphasized the impact that businesses have on people's lives worldwide. She highlighted the responsibility of corporations to promote human rights and the role that governments can play in supporting businesses on this journey.Moderated by Ghada Alnabulsi, Deputy Director of the Economic and Trade Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the fireside chat featured insights from distinguished speakers. These included Abdulla Ali Rashed Al Nuaimi, Assistant Under-Secretary for Domestic Work Affairs at MoHRE; Professor Robert McCorquodale, Emeritus Professor of International Law and Human Rights at the University of Nottingham and Chairperson of the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights; and Badr Jafar, CEO of Crescent Enterprises and UAE Special Envoy for Business and Philanthropy.The speakers discussed how the UNGPs provide a framework for responsible business conduct, guiding ethical practices throughout global supply chains. They also serve as a roadmap for businesses to contribute to Sustainable Development Goals. However, they acknowledged that the application of UNGPs varies depending on local contexts, with different regions adopting different approaches to promoting human rights through business activities.Abdulla Ali Rashed Al Nuaimi highlighted the significance of the session, which provided a platform to communicate best practices and share the UAE's success in the field of business and human rights. He noted that the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation has introduced new legislation to enhance ease of doing business and protect workers' rights, while also ensuring the wellbeing of employers.Ghada Alnabulsi emphasized the UAE's commitment to embedding ethical practices in its business community. She stressed the importance of a robust regulatory system that aligns with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and protects the interests of all stakeholders.Professor Robert McCorquodale emphasized that businesses have a responsibility to respect human rights, while governments have an obligation to protect against human rights abuses by businesses within their jurisdiction. He called for businesses to undertake human rights due diligence, identifying and mitigating adverse impacts on human rights.Badr Jafar highlighted the growing trend of businesses redefining their social contract with society and accepting wider corporate citizenship responsibilities. He emphasized that responsible business practices can bring about positive change across sectors and borders, as supply chains are interconnected and businesses significantly influence the environments they operate in and the communities they engage with.The fireside chat is part of an ongoing event series organized by the UAE Permanent Committee for Human Rights and the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy. These events aim to exchange best practices in implementing human rights while promoting and protecting universal human rights in accordance with international obligations.

With inputs from WAM