European Union Supports Development of Guidelines for Implementing UN’s Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights

Last week, the project Improving Human Rights Corporate Accountability in the BiH Business Sector, funded by the European Union and implemented by the Institute for Youth Development KULT in cooperation with the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees held a work meeting to discuss the development of “Guidelines for Implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights”. The guidelines demonstrate Bosnia and Herzegovina’s commitment to protecting human rights in the business sector by promoting stronger involvement of institutions competent for human rights in business.

Deputy Minister of Human Rights, Ms. Saliha Đuderija, said that this is the first document of its kind in BiH, noting that human rights must be regulated and emphasizing that “The key part of the document are guidelines for protecting human rights, which will be included in the work plan of the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees of BiH in 2021.”

This consultation meeting was attended by representatives of the Association of Employers of FBiH, Association of Employers of Brčko District and the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy of FBiH, represented by the Advisor on labor relations and workplace safety from the Ministry’s Labor Department.

The Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Union of Employers’ Associations of Republika Srpska expressed interest in taking part in the process of developing this document.

In order to improve the respect for human rights in the business sector, the Institute for Youth Development KULT, with the financial support of the European Union and in cooperation with the Employers’ Association of FBiH, launched an initiative to improve corporate accountability for human rights in the BiH business sector.

The initiative’s activities directly support and promote to the general public concrete programs for corporate volunteering. We support businesses and CSOs working on protecting human rights and promote an approach adapted to marginalized groups. We encourage and support businesses in the process of signing the Charter on Business and Human Rights.