Press Releases

Regional Workshop on Business & Human Rights - Session 6

Session 6: Exploring effective responses: Dialogue with civil society organisations, indegenous people groups and trade unions                                                    

IMG 2974

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Regional Workshop on Business & Human Rights - Session 7

Session 7: Realising the UNGPs through the ASEAN Regional Strategy on CSR and Human Rights                                                

IMG 3049

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Regional Workshop on Business & Human Rights - Session 3

Session 3: The State Duty to Protect: Opportunities and challenges in developing National Action Plans - The ASEAN Experience

IMG 2825

  • ASEAN governments - led by their respective National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) - are increasingly concerned about business and human rights issues, because of the rise in the number of human rights complaints received related to business activity. In Thailand for example, the 3rd highest number of human rights complaints received by the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRCT) is against the private sector.
  • Currently, there is momentum for National Action Plans (NAPs) from Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, and most recently Thailand. For a few countries, including Thailand, NAPs came up as a recommendation from the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process. It was stressed that this link is crucial.
  • If ASEAN wants to attract FDI and economic activity, it must take BHR issues seriously. Business activity cannot go unmonitored and unbridled without negative long term consequences which are difficult, if not impossible, to undo.
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Regional Workshop on Business & Human Rights - Session 2

Session 2: Update on ASEAN progress and challenges in implementing the UNGPs

IMG 2763

In ASEAN, although there are many priorities that remain before the protection of human rights is accomplished, it does not mean we can wait until the perfect condition is provided. Therefore, we need to organize the marriage between business, governments and civil society.

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Regional Workshop on Business & Human Rights - Session 1

Session 1: Update on global progress and challenges - Implementing the UNGPs

IMG 2700

Since the launch of UN Guiding Principles (UNGP) 6 years ago, there has been global momentum to implement the UNGPs at National Levels. In particular, there has been commitment in Western European, Mexico, Chile, Japan and Korea.

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