Debating the issues
The essentially voluntary character of the UN Guiding Principles has often been criticized. In 2014, a group of states (led by Ecuador and South Africa) pushed the UN Human Rights Council to consider adopting a new, international treaty on business and human rights that would create binding legal obligations.
Eventually, a UN Working Group was established to discuss the issue and prepare a draft treaty. The chairperson of the Working Group published “elements” to consider for inclusion in the treaty in October 2017. Information on the Working Group’s deliberations can be found here.
Opinions vary widely on both the desirability of a new treaty and its potential scope. Read the following, short pieces:
Chris Esdaile, “A step forward? A sceptical view on the need for a new business and human rights treaty“
Chip Pitts, “The world needs a treaty on business and human rights“
Anne van Schaik “UN treaty negotiations – a chance for the EU to champion human rights“