Latest news with #UNGuidingPrinciplesonBusinessandHumanRights
Observer
09-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
Forum calls for stronger human rights at work
MUSCAT: The Business and Human Rights Forum, organised by the Oman Human Rights Commission, concluded its second day with a set of recommendations aimed at embedding fairness, transparency and a culture of human rights within business practices and policies. Held from July 8 to 9, in cooperation with the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights, the forum aligns with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; and Oman Vision 2040, which emphasises a sustainable economy built on empowerment, participation and accountability. The forum brought together representatives from government agencies, private sector institutions, civil society organisations, UN offices in Oman, academic institutions and experts in human rights and corporate governance. Over two days, participants engaged in five main sessions featuring 16 working papers on human rights issues in the business sector. Key recommendations included integrating human rights in business-related curricula at private universities and colleges, developing ethical codes within private companies to empower employees in promoting and protecting human rights; and adopting the UN Principles on Business and Human Rights in corporate policies along with monitoring mechanisms. Further recommendations called for sharing best practices among entities applying human rights standards, particularly in supply chains, publishing related reports to enhance transparency and raising community awareness on respecting human rights and sustainable development in the workplace. Additional points focused on encouraging private companies to launch human rights initiatives, promoting the inclusion of persons with disabilities in the labour market and fostering a culture of human rights among law enforcement agencies in commercial judicial processes. The forum also urged greater private sector participation in future events to share experiences and address challenges. It concluded with a call to continue holding the forum regularly and to develop an executive plan with dedicated programmes to make business and human rights an integral part of the workplace.
Observer
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Observer
Oman urges global action for Palestinian rights
GENEVA: The Sultanate of Oman took part in an interactive dialogue on the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories during the 59th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva. Oman emphasized the importance of the detailed report, which focuses on the legal and humanitarian dimensions, particularly the role of certain economic entities in practices that entrench Israeli occupation and exacerbate its impact on the Palestinian people. In a speech delivered by Idris Abdulrahman Al Khanjari, Oman's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organisations in Geneva, Oman noted that some companies provide services, infrastructure, or technologies used in illegal settlement projects. This raises concerns under international law, particularly the Geneva Conventions and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Oman stressed that addressing this situation requires effective commitment from states and relevant entities to ensure private sector compliance with international law. It also called for enhanced regulatory frameworks and monitoring tools to curb such violations, along with strengthened legal accountability mechanisms - including for parties directly or indirectly contributing to systematic abuses - to uphold international law and prevent impunity. Furthermore, Oman reaffirmed its steadfast position in supporting international efforts to end the occupation and enable the Palestinian people to exercise their legitimate rights, foremost among them the right to self-determination, based on international legitimacy resolutions and the two-state solution to promote regional security and stability. - ONA
Days of Palestine
04-07-2025
- Business
- Days of Palestine
Albanese: GHF is a Trap that Violates Principles of Human Dignity and Protection
DaysofPal – UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, has condemned the so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), calling it a deceptive framework that violates the core principles of protection and human dignity. In a press statement Thursday, Albanese warned that current aid efforts under this structure risk turning humanitarian relief into a 'sadistic trap.' She emphasized that Gaza's siege must be broken externally, declaring: 'This is no longer a matter of political negotiation — this is about ending the violence, halting forced displacement, and stopping the annexation of East Jerusalem.' Albanese noted that corporate profiteering from the war in Gaza is rampant. 'Some companies that should have divested from Israel instead increased their profits by 120%, reaching a staggering $70 billion,' she said, highlighting the corporate complicity in Israel's actions. Speaking before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Albanese presented her latest report, calling for: A global arms embargo on Israel The severance of trade and financial ties with the occupation Corporate accountability for contributing to genocide She affirmed her report contains documented evidence that Israeli actions in Gaza constitute genocide, describing it as: 'One of the most brutal genocides of modern history. What Israel is doing is not a war — it is a campaign of extermination.' Albanese added that Israel has been supplied with over 35,000 tons of explosives — six times the destructive power of the Hiroshima atomic bomb. She stressed that international law must be enforced to end this cycle. 'There is no exit from this situation except by recommitting to the standards of the International Court of Justice. The time has come for companies complicit in genocide to face consequences,' she said. Albanese urged over a thousand international companies to immediately sever ties with Israel or be prepared to face legal and reputational repercussions. She praised Norway's KLP pension fund, which announced on Monday it would end its dealings with Oshkosh Corporation (U.S.) and Thyssenkrupp (Germany) due to their potential role in supplying military equipment used in Gaza. Although neither company was directly named in the UN report, Albanese referenced historical precedents such as: The IG Farben trial during the Nuremberg prosecutions South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which held corporations accountable for apartheid-era abuses She also invoked the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (2011), which assert that companies must avoid contributing to human rights violations and mitigate any harm caused by their operations. In conclusion, Albanese called for sanctions, legal action, and corporate prosecution at both national and international levels, including through the International Criminal Court, to dismantle the financial infrastructure sustaining the war on Gaza. Shortlink for this post:
Morocco World
24-06-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
CNDH President Calls for Human-Centered Economy at Arab-African Forum on Business and Human Rights
Gummersbach – Amina Bouayach, President of Morocco's National Human Rights Council (CNDH), issued today at the Arab-African Forum on Business and Human Rights, that economic development must serve human dignity, not undermine it. Standing before policymakers, civil society leaders, and international delegates in Marrakech, Bouayach noted that the link between business and human rights is no longer a theoretical issue. 'This is not just an academic or institutional conversation,' she said. 'It is a strategic and moral imperative, one that directly affects justice, peace, and the future of our societies.' The forum brought together representatives from across Africa and the Arab world to discuss how regional economies can grow while respecting universal human rights. Bouayach described the gathering as a chance to build a shared vision that aligns the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goals with the African Union's Agenda 2063. Fourteen years after the adoption of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, Bouayach reflected on their continued relevance, but also on the deep challenges that remain. Recent years, she warned, have laid bare the grim reality that the environment is deteriorating at an alarming rate, forced displacement continues to rise, inequality is widening, and the most vulnerable are growing more fragile. She spoke with particular concern about the persistence of child labor, noting that 72 million children in Africa are still working instead of learning. 'This is not only a failure of economic systems,' she lamented. 'It is a failure of conscience.' Such numbers point to a larger issue, the lack of adequate protection for economic and social rights in too many countries. A commitment to dignity, equity and sustainability Turning to Morocco, Bouayach acknowledged the country's ongoing economic expansion but cautioned that growth alone is not enough. Development, she said, must include the rights and well-being of workers, communities, and the environment. 'We must ensure that infrastructure projects, major investments, and supply chains reflect a commitment to dignity, equity, and sustainability.' She also underlined the urgent need for legislative reform. National laws that govern labor relations and investment must be updated to align with international standards for decent work and responsible enterprise. Implementing human rights due diligence , as required by global frameworks, remains a major challenge. Bouayach called for integrating human rights into international investment frameworks, making environmental justice a top economic priority, and ensuring that development strategies reflect human rights obligations. She also pointed to the importance of including marginalized groups in decision-making and urged renewed momentum behind the adoption of the long-awaited international convention on the right to development. Under her leadership, the CNDH is already working on several fronts. The council monitors complaints related to environmental and social impacts of economic activity and plays a role in shaping national strategies, including Morocco's preparation for co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup. It is also working to ensure that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) incorporates a human rights approach, while continuing to engage with the UN system and address emerging challenges like the impact of artificial intelligence on labor and rights. Bouayach concluded her remarks with a reminder of the enormous potential within the Arab and African regions. Tags: Amina BouayachCNDHeconomyhuman rights
The Star
23-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
‘M'sia gains when refugees work'
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia stands to benefit economically and resolve workforce gaps by enabling refugees and asylum seekers to work under a formal framework, says the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF). Its president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said that currently, 185,000 refugees and asylum seekers reside in Malaysia, the majority of whom are of working age and physically able to contribute to the economy. 'At present, refugees and asylum seekers face legal and practical barriers to formal employment, despite having the skills, willingness and potential to contribute positively to the Malaysian economy. 'MEF believes that, if managed strategically and humanely, the integration of refugees and asylum seekers into the formal labour market will positively help address several pressing national challenges, particularly in sectors facing acute labour shortages such as agriculture, construction, manufacturing and care services,' he said in a statement yesterday. Syed Hussain said one way to revitalise the economy is by granting work access to those registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Malaysia. 'This will not only provide them with the opportunity to recover from the trauma of war, conflict and persecution, but also allow them to contribute to Malaysia's economic growth, with clear benefits to businesses and consumers,' he added. He said MEF believes formalising refugee employment will bring tangible benefits, including supporting Malaysia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth through labour output, consumption, taxation and entrepreneurship. Syed Hussain said it could also reduce exploitation and illegal hiring practices by promoting labour compliance, as well as saving time and costs for employers by tapping into a workforce already present in the country. He pointed to a joint study by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and UNHCR where they found that enabling refugees to work could increase a country's GDP by up to 0.5% over time. 'Even if 30% to 40% of the refugee and asylum seeker population is granted access to the formal job market, this could add 55,000 to 75,000 employees to Malaysia's labour force, boosting productivity and supporting national economic growth,' he said. Syed Hussain said this approach would not displace local workers, especially in 3D jobs (dirty, dangerous and difficult) that are typically shunned by Malaysians. 'It would reduce dependency on foreign workers and cut enforcement costs associated with illegal labour,' he said. Syed Hussain added that the move would also strengthen Malaysia's international standing on human rights and align with global standards such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and environmental, social and governance (ESG) expectations. 'MEF is calling on the government to collaborate with employers, trade unions, NGOs and international bodies to develop a clear, transparent policy framework that defines legal work status, outlines obligations and rights, integrates skills recognition and includes proper vetting and monitoring mechanisms. 'MEF believes the inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers into Malaysia's formal workforce is a win-win strategy; one that strengthens economic resilience, meets business needs and upholds Malaysia's humanitarian commitments,' he said.
