Introduction
In addition to the official reports that the SRSG has submitted to the Human Rights Council (HRC) since his appointment in 2005, he has sought to engage the broader business and human rights community directly. He views knowledge-sharing as one important means of advancing the business and human rights agenda, and to this end arranged early on for the creation of a public website providing access to all relevant documentation.
The SRSG’s website is accessible at: http://www.business-humanrights.org/Gettingstarted/UNSpecialRepresentative, and is updated on a regular basis. The SRSG is grateful to the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre for administering the website.
This briefing note includes all documentation prepared by or for the SRSG to date. In addition to the SRSG’s official reports, it also includes briefing papers prepared by the SRSG’s research team as well as submissions from a variety of different stakeholders.
The documents are divided into the following groupings: (1) official documents (reports and annexes) submitted by the SRSG to the HRC; (2) the analyses conducted by the SRSG’s team on the subject of state responsibilities to regulate and adjudicate corporate activities under the United Nations’ core human rights treaties; (3) documentation related to consultations held by the SRSG; (4) general briefing papers and submissions prepared by or to inform the SRSG; and (5) correspondence with non-government organizations.
Documents are provided in chronological order where appropriate and official UN document numbers are included where available. Internet links to the English version of each document are also listed.
(1) Official documents: reports and annexes
The SRSG has reported twice to the HRC – in 2006 and 2007. All documents formally submitted to the HRC to date are listed below, as well as the SRSG’s presentations of his reports to the Council and responses from state delegations. Press articles and other commentary on the SRSG’s reports are not included but are available on his website. Feedback from non-government organizations (NGOs) is not featured here but is set out in section 5 below which lists correspondence from NGOs, often based on the SRSG’s official reports.
(2) State responsibilities to regulate and adjudicate corporate activities under the United Nations’ core human rights treaties
In 2006 the SRSG’s team, with the assistance of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, embarked on a project to examine states’ obligations in relation to corporate activity under the United Nations’ core human rights treaties. Each report maps the scope and content of states parties’ responsibilities to regulate and adjudicate the actions of business enterprises under the particular treaty, drawing on commentaries from the relevant treaty body as appropriate.
This series was undertaken to assist the SRSG’s work under sub-para (b) of his mandate, which asks him to “elaborate on the role of states in effectively regulating and adjudicating the role of transnational corporations and other business enterprises with regard to human rights, including through international cooperation.”
As set out above, a report summarizing the main findings and trends from the treaty-specific reports was submitted by the SRSG to the HRC, as Addendum 1 to his 2007 report.
In June 2007, the SRSG addressed the sixth Inter-Committee meeting of the human rights treaty bodies to discuss the series, and business and human rights issues more broadly. A link to the summary report of this meeting is included below.
There are no official UN document numbers for the individual treaty reports. Please also note that the reports were numbered chronologically according to the date of adoption of the relevant treaty rather than the date each report was completed.
Name of Document |
Date |
Internet link |
Report No. 1: International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination |
Dec, 2006 |
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/State-Obligations-Corporate-Acts-CERD-18-Dec-2006.pdf
|
Report No. 2: International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights |
May, 2007 |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Ruggie-report-ICESCR-May-2007.pdf |
Report No. 3: International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights |
June, 2007 |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Ruggie-report-ICESCR-May-2007.pdf |
Report No. 4: Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women |
Sept, 2007 |
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/Ruggie-report-CEDAW-Sep-2007.pdf |
Report No. 5: Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment |
Dec, 2007 |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Ruggie-report-Convention-against-Torture-Dec-2007.pdf |
Report No. 6: Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols |
July, 2007 |
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/Ruggie-report-Convention-on-Rights-of-Child-Jul-2007.pdf |
Report No. 7: International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families |
Jan, 2007 |
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/SRSG-report-migrant-workers-Jan-2007.pdf |
SRSG’s address to the sixth Inter-Committee Meeting of the human rights treaty bodies |
June, 2007 |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Ruggie-address-to-treaty-bodies-19-Jun-2007.pdf |
Addendum 1 to the SRSG’s 2007 report: State responsibilities to regulate and adjudicate corporate activities under the United Nations’ core human rights treaties: an overview of treaty body commentaries
(A/HRC/4/35/Add.1) |
13 Feb, 2007 |
http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G07/108/52/PDF/G0710852.pdf?OpenElement |
(3) Consultations held by the SRSG
The SRSG has held numerous multi-stakeholder consultations to encourage dialogue and inform his work. In the lead-up to his 2007 report, he convened three regional consultations, four workshops of legal experts, and two sector-specific meetings.
The autumn of 2007 has been a particularly busy time for the SRSG in preparing for his 2008 report. He held five multi-stakeholder consultations addressing various elements of the three “baskets” within which he plans to organize his recommendations to the HRC: the state duty to protect, the corporate responsibility to respect, and the need for more effective grievance mechanisms to populate the relatively barren space between litigation and campaigns against companies.
Set out below are the background papers and summary reports from these consultations. Please note that while Addendum 2 to the SRSG’s 2007 report summarized the 2006 consultations on the attribution of corporate responsibility under international law, as well as the permissible scope of extraterritorial regulation, the complete reports for these consultations are listed below because Addendum 2 provided only the abridged versions. (Only background papers and summary reports are set out below – submissions from NGOs regarding various consultations and the SRSG’s responses are included in section 5.)
The SRSG is grateful to the governments providing financial and logistical support for these consultations. He is also appreciative to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for its assistance as well as to numerous NGOs and academic institutions which helped to host and organize various events – these parties are acknowledged in the summary reports for each meeting.
The SRSG has also held civil society consultations on five continents, visited the operations of firms in four industry sectors in developing countries and had discussions with representatives of all relevant multilateral institutions and some government officials. Records of these meetings are not publicly available though more information may be obtained from the SRSG as required.
Conference |
Date |
Location |
Docs |
Internet link |
2005 |
|
|
|
|
Sectoral consultation on Human Rights and the Extractive Industry |
10-11 Nov, 2005 |
Geneva |
Presentation by Sir Mark Moody Stuart (Chairman, Anglo American plc) |
http://www.unglobalcompact.org/NewsAndEvents/news_archives/2005_11_17.html |
Summary report (UN Doc. E/CN.4/2006/92) |
http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G05/167/21/PDF/G0516721.pdf?OpenElement |
2006 |
|
|
|
|
African Regional Consultation |
27-28 March, 2006 |
Johannesburg |
Presentation by Salil Tripathi (International Alert) |
http://www.international-alert.org/pdfs/Press%20Releases/Salil_Tripathi_speech.pdf |
Summary report |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Ruggie-consultation-Johannesburg-27-28-Mar-2006.pdf |
Asian Regional Consultation |
26-27 June, 2006 |
Bangkok |
Briefing paper- Meaningful Change: Raising the Bar in Supply Chain Workplace Standards |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Ruggie-briefing-paper-for-Thailand-consultation-June-2006.pdf |
Summary report |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Ruggie-Bangkok-consultation-report-26-27-Jun-2006.pdf |
|
|
|
|
|
Expert Legal Workshop on Human rights and Transnational Corporations: Legislation and Government Regulation |
15 June, 2006 |
London |
Summary report |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Chatham-House-legal-workshop-human-rights-transnational-corporations-15-June-2006.doc |
|
|
|
|
|
Expert Legal Workshop on Corporate Complicity in Human Rights Violations |
23-24, Oct, 2006 |
Oslo |
Summary note |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Corporate-complicity-workshop-Oct-2006.pdf |
|
|
|
|
|
Expert Legal Workshop on Extraterritorial Legislation as a Tool for Improving the Human Rights Accountability of Transnational
Corporations |
3-4 Nov,
2006 |
Brussels |
Background paper |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Olivier-de-Schutter-report-for-SRSG-re-extraterritorial-jurisdiction-Dec-2006.pdf |
Summary report |
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/Extraterritorial-legislation-to-improve-accountability-legal-experts-seminar-Brussels-summary-report-3-4-Nov-2006.pdf |
Expert Legal Workshop on Attributing Corporate Responsibility for Human Rights Under International Law |
17 Nov,
2006 |
New York |
Summary report |
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/Workshop-Corp-Responsibility-under-Intl-Law-17-Nov-2006.pdf |
2007 |
|
|
|
|
Latin America Regional Consultation |
18-19 Jan, 2007 |
Bogota |
Summary report |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Ruggie-Latin-America-Consultation-report-18-19-Jan-2007.pdf |
|
|
|
|
|
Sectoral Consultation on Human Rights and the Financial Sector |
16 Feb, 2007 |
Geneva |
Background paper |
[Add PDF if link not put on Chris’ site] |
Summary report (UN Doc. A/HRC/4/99) |
http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G07/113/49/PDF/G0711349.pdf?OpenElement |
|
|
|
|
|
Expert Consultation No. 1 on Accountability Mechanisms for Resolving Complaints and Disputes |
11–12 April, 2007 |
Boston |
Background papers |
http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/m-rcbg/CSRI/publications/workingpaper_37_Rees.pdf
|
http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/42/11/38297552.pdf |
Summary report |
http://www.ksg.harvard.edu/m-rcbg/CSRI/publications/report_15_accountabilitymechanisms.pdf |
|
|
|
|
|
SRSG’s meeting with UN Special Procedures |
19 June, 2007 |
Geneva |
Summary note |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Ruggie-special-procedures-19-Jun-2007.pdf |
|
|
|
|
|
Expert Consultation on Business & Human Rights in Conflict Zones: the Role of Home States |
5 Nov, 2007 |
Berlin |
Announcement of joint project with Global Witness on corporate-related abuses in conflict zones |
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/Ruggie-Global-Witness-announcement-24-Sep-2007.pdf |
Background paper |
[ADD ONCE POSTED OR ATTACH PDF] |
Summary report |
[ADD ONCE POSTED OR ATTACH PDF] |
(4) General briefing papers and submissions
The 2007 report drew on some two-dozen research papers prepared by or for the SRSG. Since then, the number of briefing papers, discussion papers and submissions provided to the SRSG by external parties has continued to grow, with the SRSG receiving material from a variety of stakeholders, including NGOs, business associations and law firms. The SRSG’s own team has also contributed several research and discussion papers, sometimes in conjunction with other organizations, including the International Finance Corporation.
Where publicly available, these external and internal papers are listed below, grouped depending on the type of author. In rare cases where authors were comfortable with making their work publicly available but not for attribution, the relevant documents have been listed as being produced by the SRSG’s team.
Documents are labelled as discussion papers, briefing papers, reference papers or submissions. By way of explanation, discussion papers are shorter papers, generally prepared by the SRSG’s team, intended to summarize the current state of play and engender debate on a particular issue. Briefing papers, also produced by the SRSG’s team, are more detailed research reports examining issues in greater depth. Reference papers are not produced by the SRSG’s team but have been identified by the SRSG as providing useful analyses of issues falling within the mandate. Those reference papers that were explicitly prepared to inform the SRSG are included below. Submissions are papers from external parties that are designed to inform and advise the SRSG, usually containing recommendations rather than descriptive information.
Readers should note that the SRSG expects additional submissions from several parties in the lead up to the 2008 report. These submissions will be highlighted on the SRSG’s homepage as “new additions” as they become available.
SRSG’s team
Set out below are discussion papers and briefing papers prepared by the SRSG and his team. Note that some of the documents were summarized in the four addenda attached to the SRSG’s 2007 report but are listed separately here given that not all of them were reproduced in full in the addenda.
The table below also lists feedback from external parties on documents prepared by the SRSG and his team as well as forthcoming publications.
Document |
Date |
Feedback from external parties? |
Internet links |
2006 |
|
|
|
Questionnaire for UN member states
Nb: the results of the questionnaire were summarized in addendum 3 to the SRSG’s 2007 report, featured in section 1 above. |
May, 2006 |
No |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Questionnaire-UN-member-states-business-human-rights-May-2006.doc |
Discussion paper on Human Rights Impact Assessments |
18 July, 2006 |
Joint NGO letter and SRSG’s response:
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Joint-NGO-letter-to-Ruggie-re-human-rights-impact-assessments-24-Sep-2006.doc
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Ruggie-response-to-Bronson-re-impact-assessments-4-Oct-2006.pdf |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Discussion-paper-human-rights-impact-assessments-Jul-2006.pdf |
Joint letter from Socially Responsible Investors:
http://www.iccr.org/news/press_releases/pdf%20files/ruggieltr10-10-06.pdf |
International Business Leaders Forum:
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/IBLF-letter-Ruggie-re-HRIA-12-Jan-2007.doc |
|
|
|
|
Discussion paper on Security of People and Assets |
21 July, 2006 |
John O’Reilly (formerly of BP):
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/OReilly-comments-on-security-discussion-paper-8-Oct-2006.doc |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Discussion-paper-security-Jul-2006.pdf |
|
|
|
|
Discussion paper on Revenue Sharing and Fiscal Management |
28 July, 2006 |
The Ethical Funds Company
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Ethical-Funds-submission-Revenue-Transparency-10-Oct-2006.pdf |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Discussion-paper-revenue-sharing-28-Jul-2006.pdf |
|
|
|
|
Discussion paper on Reporting on Non-Financial Performance |
7 Aug, 2006 |
Joint letter from Socially Responsible Investors:
http://www.iccr.org/news/press_releases/pdf%20files/ruggieltr10-10-06.pdf |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Discussion-paper-reporting-7-Aug-2006.pdf |
|
|
|
|
Briefing paper on Human Rights Policies & Management Practices of Fortune Global 500 Firms: Results of a Survey |
1 Sept, 2006 |
OECD and SRSG’s response http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/42/11/38297552.pdf
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Ruggie-reply-to-OECD-Bonucci-7-Oct-2006.pdf |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Ruggie-survey-Fortune-Global-500.pdf |
Financial Times
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/77d77060-3956-11db-a21d-0000779e2340.html?nclick_check=1 |
|
|
|
|
Briefing paper on Business Recognition of Human Rights: Global Patterns, Regional & Sectoral Variations |
12 Dec, 2006 |
No |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Business-Recognition-of-Human-Rights-12-Dec-2006.pdf |
2007 |
|
|
|
Business and Human Rights: The Evolving International Agenda
Note: this article was prepared by the SRSG for the American Journal of International Law and is included in its October 2007 edition. |
27 June, 2007 |
No |
http://ksgnotes1.harvard.edu/Research/wpaper.nsf/rwp/RWP07-029 |
|
|
|
|
Addendum to briefing paper on Business Recognition of Human Rights: Global Patterns, Regional & Sectoral Variations
Human Rights Policies of Chinese Companies - Results from a Survey |
Sept, 2007 |
No |
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/Ruggie-China-survey-Sep-2007.pdf |
|
|
|
|
By Invitation Submission to Ethical Corporation Magazine: “Standards and Practices – Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights” |
6 Sept, 2007 |
Sir Geoffrey Chandler (Founder Chair of Amnesty International UK Business Group):
http://www.ethicalcorp.com/content.asp?ContentID=5420 |
http://www.ethicalcorp.com/content.asp?ContentID=5353 |
|
|
|
|
By Invitation Submission to Ethical Corporation Magazine: “Voluntary initiatives – Helping the laggards join the race” |
7 Oct, 2007 |
No |
http://www.ethicalcorp.com/content.asp?ContentID=5428 |
|
|
|
|
By Invitation Submission to Ethical Corporation Magazine: “Business and Human Rights – Beyond Corporate Spheres of Influence” |
12 Nov, 2007 |
No |
http://www.ethicalcorp.com/content.asp?ContentID=5504 |
|
|
|
|
By Invitation Submission to Ethical Corporation Magazine: “Foreign Direct Investment – Balancing Risks for Global Investors”
Nb: prepared in conjunction with a joint project with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) on investment contracts and human rights. |
11 Dec, 2007 |
No |
Submission:
http://www.ethicalcorp.com/content.asp?ContentID=5565&ContTypeID=2
|
Press release on joint project with IFC: http://www.ifc.org/ifcext/media.nsf/content/
SelectedPressRelease?OpenDocument&UNID=21BE753E0EEED227852573300058F692 |
Forthcoming in 2008 |
|
|
|
By Invitation Submission to Ethical Corporation Magazine: “Flagging what roles states can and should play in the business and human rights space” |
January 2008 |
No |
Not yet available |
|
|
|
|
By Invitation Submission to Ethical Corporation Magazine on grievance mechanisms [Get title from Caroline] |
February 2008 |
No |
Not yet available |
|
|
|
|
Briefing paper on Stabilization Clauses and Human Rights – joint research paper by the IFC and the SRSG |
Expected early 2008 |
No |
Not yet available though see press release about the joint project above. |
Civil society and academics
Business community
Law firms
(5) Correspondence with NGOs
The SRSG has been encouraged by the interest taken by NGOs in his mandate and has greatly benefited from extensive dialogue with these parties, both at consultations and through more formal correspondence. Included in section 4 above are the research papers NGOs have submitted to the mandate. Illustrated below is other correspondence between NGOs and the SRSG on issues ranging from the conduct of various consultations to general suggestions regarding the work of the mandate. As highlighted below, the SRSG endeavors to respond to correspondence from NGOs where appropriate.
Also listed below is a selection of press releases from NGOs discussing the SRSG’s work.
Subject of correspondence |
NGO(s) |
Date |
Internet links |
Formal response from SRSG? |
2005 |
|
|
|
|
Letter on the work of the mandate |
Amnesty International (AI) |
16 Sept, 2005 |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Amnesty-letter-to-John-Ruggie-16-Sep-2005.doc |
No |
2006 |
|
|
|
|
Joint SRI letter on the work of the mandate |
Joint letter from Socially Responsible Investors – page 3 lists all signatories. |
6 Feb, 2006 |
http://www.iccr.org/news/press_releases/pdf%20files/ruggieletter020706.pdf |
No |
|
|
|
|
|
Commentary on 2006 Interim report |
International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) |
15 March, 2006 |
http://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/business442a.pdf |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Ruggie-response-to-FIDH-20-Mar-2006.pdf |
|
|
|
|
|
Commentary on 2006 Interim report |
Earthrights International |
22 March, 2006 |
http://www.earthrights.org/legalfeature/ominous_outlook_for_the_un_norms.html |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Ruggie-response-to-EarthRights-23-Mar-2006.pdf |
|
|
|
|
|
Commentary on 2006 Interim report |
Realizing Rights: the Ethical Globalization Initiative |
31 March, 2006 |
http://www.realizingrights.org/images/stories/Position_on_Ruggie_reportFINAL.pdf |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Ruggie-response-to-Mary-Robinson-31-Mar-2006.pdf |
|
|
|
|
|
Commentary on 2006 Interim report |
AI |
27 April, 2006 |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Amnesty-Intl-comments-on-Ruggie-interim-report-27-Apr-2006.pdf |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Ruggie-response-to-Amnesty-International-1-May-2006.pdf |
|
|
|
|
|
Joint NGO comments on 2006 Interim report |
This letter was signed by 70 NGOs – page 3 lists all signatories. |
18 May, 2006 |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Joint-NGO-comments-on-Ruggie-interim-report-18-May-2006.doc |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Ruggie-response-to-joint-NGO-letter-22-May-2006.pdf |
|
|
|
|
|
Statement at Asian regional consultation |
Joint statement by Asian civil society –page 3 lists all signatories. |
26 June, 2006 |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Asian-civil-society-statement-Ruggie-consultation-27-Jun-2006.pdf |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Ruggie-response-to-Asian-civil-society-statement-2-Jul-2006.doc |
2007 |
|
|
|
|
Statement at Latin American regional consultation |
Joint statement by Latin American civil society – page 2 lists all signatories. |
18 Jan, 2007 |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Joint-NGO-declaration-on-Ruggie-Lat-Am-consultation-19-Jan-2007.pdf |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Ruggie-response-to-Latin-American-civil-society-declaration-29-Jan-2007.pdf |
|
|
|
|
|
Joint NGO Statement to HRC on the SRSG’s 2007 report |
AI; ESCR-Net; Human Rights Watch; International Commission of Jurists; and FIDH |
March, 2007 |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/NGO-joint-statement-to-UN-re-Ruggie-report-29-Mar-2007.pdf |
No |
|
|
|
|
|
Press release responding to SRSG’s 2007 report: “Commentaires sur le rapport du Représentant spécial du Secrétaire général sur les droits de l’homme et les sociétés transnationales” |
Centre Europe-Tiers Monde; Women's International. League for Peace & Freedom; and Fédération Syndicale Mondiale |
March, 2007 |
http://www.cetim.ch/fr/interventions_details.php?iid=282 |
No |
|
|
|
|
|
Commentary on 2007 report |
Clean Clothes Campaign |
23 March, 2007 |
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/Clean-Clothes-Campaign-letter-Ruggie-23-Mar-2007.pdf |
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/Ruggie-response-Clean-Clothes-Campaign-17-Apr-2007.pdf |
|
|
|
|
|
Press release responding to SRSG’s 2007 report: “Tougher measures needed for corporations on UN rights abuses” |
ActionAid |
26 March, 2007 |
http://www.actionaid.org/pages.aspx?PageID=34&ItemID=251 |
No |
|
|
|
|
|
Press release responding to SRSG’s 2007 report: “UN report shows need for business curbs” |
War on Want |
28 March, 2007 |
http://www.waronwant.org/UN+report+shows+need+for+business+curbs+14318.twl |
No |
|
|
|
|
|
NGO’s survey of “emblematic” cases of corporate human rights abuses |
ESCR-net (letter was a response to correspondence from the SRSG) |
5 Sept, 2007 |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/ESCR-Net-response-to-Ruggie-5-Sep-2007.pdf |
SRSG’s letter is available at:
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Ruggie-letter-ESCR-Net-29-Aug-2007.pdf |
|
|
|
|
|
Joint NGO letter on the work of the mandate |
This letter was signed by 198 NGOs – see page 6 for the full list of signatories. |
25 October, 2007 |
http://www.escr-net.org/usr_doc/OpenLetter_Ruggie_FinalEndorsements.pdf |
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Ruggie-response-to-joint-NGO-letter-15-Oct-2007.pdf |
See also response from Sir Geoffrey Chandler:
http://www.reports-and-materials.org/Chandler-open-letter-to-NGO-signatories-of-letter-to-Ruggie-15-Oct-2007.doc |
|
