Challenges in Conflict Zones - Panel Discussion…

Summary As former UN Special Representative John Ruggie pointed out during his mandate: "…the most egregious business-related human rights abuses take place in conflict-affected areas and other situations of widespread violence…Such situations require that States take action as a matter of urgency, but there remains a lack of clarity among States with regard to what innovative, proactive and, above all, practical policies and tools have the greatest potential for preventing or mitigating business-related abuses in situations of conflict." In his final recommendations in 2011, the Special Representative put forward a range of options that home, host and neighboring States could develop to prevent and deter corporate-related human rights abuses in conflict contexts. What steps have States and other actors taken over the past year to pursue such options? How can the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights be most effectively integrated into policy debate and actions in this critical field? One strategy for addressing conflict related issues involves the development of multistakeholder initiatives aimed at clarifying state and corporate responsibilities and mitigating the negative impacts of corporate involvement in specific situations. The Guiding Principles represent the minimum standard these initiatives should strive to achieve both for their corporate and state participants. However, little attention has been dedicated to consideration of how the Guiding Principles should inform and influence the direction of ongoing and planned initiatives in this area. This session will consist of a Government panel focused on examining ongoing developments involving multistakeholder initiatives by States and other actors aimed at ensuring responsible business action in conflict related situations. It will conclude with a series of recommendations to the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights and other stakeholders, including on how the Guiding Principles could strengthen existing multistakeholder initiatives, how these initiatives can mutually benefit from one another and how progress and increased accountability in this respect can be measured over time. Facilitators Mr. Gerald Pachoud – Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary-General, UN Peacebuilding Support Office Mr. Scott Jerbi – Geneva Academy for International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Panellists Mr Daniel Avila Camacho – Director Presidential Programme for Integrated Mine Action (PPAICMA), Colombia Mr. Dan Baer– Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for human rights, USA H. E. Amb. Claude Wild, Head of Human Security Division, Federal Dept. of Foreign Affairs, Switzerland Mr.Herbert P M'cleod – Special Adviser to the President, Sierra Leone