Companies face heightened challenges respecting human rights when operating in conflict-affected contexts. Russia began a ‘military operation’ in Ukraine on 24 February, which the UN General Assembly has condemned, calling on Moscow to “unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine".
Recognising this ‘act of aggression’ and that international armed conflict is underway, businesses and investors operating or investing in the region, and especially those with links to the Russian state, must avoid contributing to violations of international humanitarian law. The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) provide guidance, outlining the need to take extra steps in their human rights due diligence processes and adopt a conflict-sensitive approach due to the heightened and severe risk of gross human rights abuses. A conflict-sensitive approach emphasises effectively preventing, managing and addressing conflict, including by seeking to understand conflict dynamics and related risks.
“Businesses are not neutral actors; their presence is not without impact. Even if business does not take a side in the conflict, the impact of their operations will necessarily influence conflict dynamics.”UN Working Group on Transnational Corporations, Business, human rights and conflict-affected regions: towards heightened action
Operating in conflict-affected contexts: An introduction to good practice
How should responsible business assess the situation in Ukraine? We have adapted materials developed by the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance and the International Committee of the Red Cross to provide an introductory guide to good practices for companies operating in conflict-affected contexts.
BHR impact of the invasion
There has been a strong focus on business operations in Russia following its invasion of Ukraine - in a way not seen in other international conflicts. This is largely due to the severe economic sanctions placed on the Russian State, but highlights how company monies fund - wittingly and unwittingly - oppressive regimes. Their responsibility to implement comprehensive human rights and environmental due diligence processes couldn't be clearer.
Russian invasion of Ukraine: What companies have to say about their human rights due diligence
BHRRC invited 400 companies operating or investing in Ukraine and/or Russia to respond to questions about human rights due diligence.
Ukraine: Global outrage over Russian invasion leads to sanctions, demands for businesses to divest
Russian invasion of Ukraine puts spotlight on businesses operating in the region and their human rights responsibilities
Partial mobilisation in Russia: Companies’ reaction to law that obligates businesses to assist with war mobilisation efforts
In light of new law in Russia that mandates all organisations, including international companies, to assist with partial mobilisation, BHRRC invited companies to respond to questions regarding actions they have taken or plan to take in response to the implications of the mobilisation law.
Corporate due diligence timeline: Monitoring companies’ human rights practices related to Russian aggression against Ukraine
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we have been closely monitoring the situation and private sector responses. Since under the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), businesses operating in situations of armed conflict should conduct heightened human rights due diligence, we invited 400 companies to respond to a survey about human rights due diligence related to their operations and/or investments in Russia and/or Ukraine.
Forty-two companies provided full or partial responses to our survey questions. This corporate due diligence timeline monitors all 42 companies on the implementation of their human rights commitments with the aim of enhancing transparency around businesses’ human rights due diligence practices related to the Russian military aggression against Ukraine, including gaps and examples of good practice.
The timeline can be viewed in grid view and timeline mode. Navigate between the two by clicking on "Views".
The timeline will be updated on an ongoing basis.
Further reading
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