OHCHR | Resources

Resources

International standards

Guidance on the interpretation of the Guiding Principles

Introductions to the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (also available in French and Spanish)
The application of the UNGPs to minority shareholdings of institutional investors
Opinion issued by OHCHR in response to letters regarding the Porgera remediation framework
Advice to the OECD on the application of the Guiding Principles to the financial sector
The application of the UNGPs in the context of the banking sector

List of Tools

Standards of Conduct for Business on Tackling Discrimination against LGBTI people 2017

The Standards of Conduct for Business on Tackling Discrimination against LGBTI people provide specific guidance on how companies can align their policies and practice in the workplace, marketplace and communities in which they do business, with international standards on the human rights of LGBTI people (OHCHR, 2017).

Human Rights Translated 2.0 - A Business Reference Guide 2017

Human Rights Translated 2.0 - A Business Reference Guide is an easy-to read handbook for business using real-life case studies, illustrating how human rights are relevant in a corporate context and how to manage human rights issues. The current edition was updated in 2017 to include the latest legal developments and recent case studies.

Principles for Responsible Contracts 2015

Frequently Asked Questions on the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights 2014

This publication with frequently asked questions aims to explain the background and the contents of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and how they relate to the broader human rights system and other frameworks. It aims to help both practitioners and newcomers to navigate the Guiding Principles and improve their understanding of the Guiding Principles by placing these in context.

English | Spanish

An introduction to the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights by the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights 2013

This short document summarises the content of the UN Guiding Principles and describes the mandate of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights.

English

The Corporate Responsibility to Respect Human Rights: An Interpretive Guide 2012

This interpretive guide is designed to support the process of the effective implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights for implementing the “Protect, Respect and Remedy” framework. The guide focuses on the Guiding Principles that address the corporate responsibility to respect human rights. It was developed in full collaboration with the former Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises. (OHCHR, 2012).

UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights 2011

This publication contains the "Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights:Implementing the United Nations ‘Protect, Respect and Remedy’ Framework", which were developed by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises. The Human Rights Council endorsed the Guiding Principles in its resolution 17/4 of 16 June 2011.

Guide on How to Develop a Human Rights Policy 2011

This guide provides instruction on how businesses can develop and implement a human rights policy within their companies, aligned with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. (OHCHR/UN Global Compact, 2011)

A Human Rights Management Framework Poster 2010

This poster — launched in 2007 and updated in 2010 — captures key good business and human rights management practices that are elaborated in more detail in A Guide for Integrating Human Rights Into Business Management as well as in the International Business Leaders Forum publication, Human Rights: It Is Your Business. (UNGC/BLIHR/GBI/IBLF/OHCHR, updated 2010)

OHCHR and Global Compact Human Rights and Business Learning Tool

This interactive web-based tool is intended to assist managers and corporate responsibility professionals in companies participating in the UN Global Compact to understand what human rights are and how they are relevant to their business operations, in particular in relation to the two first Global Compact principles. The tool also focuses on related concepts of spheres of influence and complicity, and it provides relevant links, exercises and case studies designed to assist the participant understanding better the various concepts presented. In addition, a self-assessment test is offered to participants after completing each module, which will generate a certificate if the test is successfully completed. (UNGC/OHCHR, 2010).

A Guide for Integrating Human Rights into Business Management, 2nd Edition

The second edition of this Guide offers practical guidance to companies wanting to take a proactive approach to human rights within their business operations and is of use primarily to business leaders and managers in large and medium-sized enterprises, private and state-owned, who would like to develop their understanding of human rights in business practice. (UN Global Compact Office/BLIHR/OHCHR, updated 2009)

Guide for Integrating Human Rights into Business Management - A joint publication of BLIHR, Global Compact Office and Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights May 2006

This publication - prepared by business for business - offers practical guidance on how to implement human rights within business practice. It is based on the accumulated experience of the ten companies in the BLIHR (ABB, Barclays, Gap, Hewlett-Packard, MTV Networks Europe, National Grid, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Statoil and The Body Shop International). This experience is supplemented with practical examples of human rights implementation from other companies including BP, Carrefour, Cemex, Codelco, Copel, Eskom, Li & Fung (Trading), MAS Holdings, Shell, Taj Hotels, Tata Enterprises, Telefonica and Valeo. The final publication also benefited substantially from a wide range of thoughtful feedback provided on a consultation draft.

Embedding Human Rights in Business Practice II

This second volume in the Embedding Human Rights in Business Practice series presents 20 case studies of business action related to human rights issues. The case studies highlight various types of actions related to company strategy, policy, processes & procedures, communications, measuring impact & auditing and reporting. (Global Compact/OHCHR, 2007).

Embedding Human Rights in Business Practice I

This joint publication of the Global Compact and the Office of the High Commissioner explores the practical meaning of the Global Compact’ s human rights principles for companies, presenting four case studies and a policy report on business practice. The main conclusion drawn from these cases is that proactive efforts to address human rights concerns better equipped businesses to manage risks and helps secure and maintain their license to operate. (Global Compact/OHCHR, 2004).