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How can mandatory due diligence measures advance efforts to promote business respect for human rights?

Celebrating the First Anniversary of the Business and Human Rights Lawyers Association

The Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations is pleased to invite you to a reception and debate on emerging mandatory human rights due diligence measures, and prospects for strengthening business respect for human rights.

John Ruggie, chief architect of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, recognized the need for a “smart mix” of tools to support uptake and integration of the UN Guiding Principles. Initial efforts focused on “soft law” approaches; a decade on, governments are now adopting legislation in this space. The European Union is finalizing a directive making human rights and environmental due diligence mandatory and Germany, France and Norway have passed similar laws; the US, Canada and Mexico have implemented bans on imports of products made with forced labor, with other jurisdictions considering similar.

A panel of legal experts and policymakers will debate these emerging trends and implications for corporate practice, with audience participation.

Date: 27 November 2023

Location: Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations, Avenue de l'Ariana 5 1202, Geneve

Timings (local time):

18:15‐18:30 ‐ Reception

18:30‐18:45 ‐ Opening Remarks by Deputy Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations, Patricia McCullagh

18:45‐19:30 – Debate

Please note that government ID is required for entry

RSVP to GENEV.RSVP@international.gc.ca

Previous
Previous
17 October

THE GREAT DEBATE: Will mandatory due diligence measures represent the “end of the beginning”, or the “beginning of the end” of efforts to promote corporate respect for human rights?

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Next
4 March

The Role of Business Lawyers in Promoting Respect for Human Rights by Businesses