Model UN Background Guide

Committee: United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)

Topic: Business and Human Rights

Conference Year: 2025

Topic Background

The intersection of business and human rights has become an increasingly critical issue over the past few decades. This topic centers on the responsibilities of businesses to respect human rights and the role of states and international bodies in regulating corporate conduct. Historically, the rapid globalization of trade and investment since the late 20th century has led to complex supply chains, with multinational corporations (MNCs) operating across multiple jurisdictions. This complexity has often resulted in human rights violations, including exploitative labor practices, environmental degradation, forced displacement, and complicity in conflict or repression.

The landmark development in this area was the endorsement of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) in 2011 by the UN Human Rights Council. These principles established the “Protect, Respect and Remedy” framework, which assigned primary responsibility to states to protect human rights, while businesses have the responsibility to respect human rights and provide remedies for abuses. Despite this framework, enforcement remains inconsistent, and many vulnerable populations continue to suffer abuses linked to business activities.

The topic’s prominence on the UNHRC agenda in 2025 is driven by several factors: increasing public awareness and activism around corporate accountability; the rise of digital and extractive industries with significant human rights implications; and ongoing challenges in ensuring access to remedy for victims. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated vulnerabilities in labor rights and supply chains, particularly in developing countries. The Council has also been called upon to address emerging issues such as the role of artificial intelligence in business operations and its human rights implications.

Key Actors

States

• European Union Member States (e.g., Germany, France, Netherlands): Leaders in advancing binding regulations on corporate human rights due diligence. The EU has proposed legislation requiring companies to identify, prevent, and mitigate human rights abuses in their operations and supply chains.
• United States: Historically focused on voluntary corporate social responsibility initiatives, with growing bipartisan support for stronger due diligence laws and transparency. The U.S. government also emphasizes the role of private sector innovation in improving human rights outcomes.
• China: A major global economic player with significant outbound investment, especially in infrastructure and extractive industries. China emphasizes state sovereignty and non-interference and prioritizes economic development, often resisting binding international regulations on business conduct.
• Developing Countries (e.g., Nigeria, India, Brazil): These states balance attracting foreign direct investment with protecting their populations from corporate abuses. Many advocate for increased capacity-building and technical assistance to enforce human rights standards.

International Organizations

• Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR): Provides expertise and supports implementation of the UNGPs, including through the mandate of the UN Special Representative on Business and Human Rights.
• International Labour Organization (ILO): Works extensively on labor rights issues related to business activities, promoting decent work standards and addressing forced labor and child labor in supply chains.
• World Bank Group and International Finance Corporation (IFC): Influence corporate behavior through environmental and social safeguard policies tied to financing.
• OECD: Promotes guidelines for multinational enterprises and provides a platform for grievance mechanisms and dispute resolution.

Bloc Positions

1. European Union and Allies

This bloc advocates for stronger, binding international regulations on corporate human rights due diligence. They typically support mandatory reporting, transparency measures, and enforcement mechanisms to hold companies accountable. They emphasize victim access to remedy and often push for harmonizing standards globally to level the playing field.

2. Developing and Emerging Economies

This group prioritizes economic development and foreign investment while seeking to improve regulatory capacity. They often call for international cooperation on capacity-building, technical assistance, and financial support to implement human rights protections. They may resist overly stringent regulations perceived as barriers to investment or sovereignty infringements.

3. Resource-Rich and Extractive Industry-Dependent States

Countries heavily reliant on extractive industries (e.g., oil, mining) focus on balancing economic benefits with mitigating human rights impacts. They tend to emphasize the role of states in regulating businesses and may resist external interference. They are particularly concerned about the social and environmental consequences of business activities and the need for fair benefit-sharing.

4. Business-Friendly and Sovereignty-Focused States

Often including some major economic powers and emerging markets, this bloc stresses voluntary corporate social responsibility initiatives and the primacy of national legal frameworks. They are cautious about binding international obligations that could impede business operations or infringe on sovereignty and promote dialogue and partnerships over regulation.

Past UN Action

• Resolution 17/4 (2011): Endorsed the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, establishing the global standard for state and corporate responsibilities.
• Resolution 26/22 (2014): Established the mandate of the UN Special Representative on Business and Human Rights to promote the implementation of the UNGPs.
• Resolution 31/32 (2016): Called for enhanced cooperation among states and stakeholders to address business-related human rights abuses, emphasizing access to remedy.
• Annual reports by the Special Representative on Business and Human Rights: Provide ongoing analysis of trends, challenges, and best practices in implementing the UNGPs.
• Human Rights Council Panel Discussions (various years): Focused on specific sectors such as technology, extractive industries, and conflict-affected areas, highlighting emerging issues like digital rights and climate change impacts.

Questions a Resolution Should Answer

1. How can states strengthen the implementation and enforcement of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights within their jurisdictions?
2. What mechanisms can be established or enhanced to ensure victims of business-related human rights abuses have effective access to remedy?
3. How can international cooperation be improved to support developing countries in building regulatory capacity and monitoring corporate conduct?
4. What role should mandatory human rights due diligence play in international and national frameworks for businesses?
5. How can the UNHRC address emerging challenges related to new technologies and their impact on human rights in business contexts?
6. What steps can be taken to increase transparency and accountability in global supply chains, especially for high-risk sectors?
7. How can the Council promote multi-stakeholder engagement, including civil society and affected communities, in monitoring and addressing business-related human rights issues?

Further Reading

• UN Documents: Official publications such as Human Rights Council resolutions, reports by the UN Special Representative on Business and Human Rights, and OHCHR thematic reports provide authoritative insights and the latest international legal standards.
• Think-Tank Reports: Analysis and policy recommendations from institutions specializing in human rights and corporate accountability, such as the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, International Corporate Accountability Roundtable, and Chatham House, offer critical perspectives and case studies.
• News Outlets: Investigative journalism and ongoing coverage from reputable international media (e.g., The Guardian, Reuters, Al Jazeera) highlight real-time developments, corporate scandals, and grassroots activism related to business and human rights.

This background guide aims to equip delegates with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities surrounding business and human rights, enabling informed debate and effective resolution drafting in the 2025 UNHRC session.