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Article

13 Dec 2016

Author:
European Coalition for Corporate Justice (ECCJ)

NGO criticizes Switzerland’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights

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...Published on 9 December 2016, the Swiss NAP recognizes that the UNGPs lay the foundation for regulating business from a human rights perspective. The structure of the text carefully follows the recommendations set forth by the UN Working Group. The Federal Council also notes that companies domiciled and/or active in Switzerland must duly fulfill their responsibilities in the field of human rights. Another positive aspect is the Federal Council’s understanding of the implementation of the Guiding Principles as a continuous process. However, the content of the NAP is disappointing. From the outset, the text explicitly excludes any new binding measures. Out of the 50 political instruments listed, 37 pertain to activities already carried out by the Confederation. Seven were already put forward by Federal Council in its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) position, adopted in April 2015. The six new measures are limited to marketing (with, for instance, the creation of a Swiss Business and Human Rights Champion prize) and an improved application of existing FDFA instruments (such as the training of embassy staff)...

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