United Nations Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights

Dear constituent,

Thank you for contacting me about the proposed United Nations (UN) Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights.

As you know, in June 2014, the UN Human Rights Council established the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Working Group (OEIGWG) with the aim of creating an internationally binding treaty for transnational corporations and business enterprises in relation to human rights.

The OEIGWG recently met to discuss the second revised draft of a proposed treaty, which was published in August 2020. I understand these discussions concluded without clear negotiated reforms, but that stakeholders can submit views until February 2021, with a third revised draft being published next year.

I am committed to the full protection of human rights, and I firmly believe transnational corporations must respect these rights.

The UK Government has said it is committed to improving the human rights practices of businesses through promoting the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, published in 2011. It has said UK companies should be guided by these principles in complying with all applicable laws and respecting internationally recognised human rights, and adopting policies to identify, prevent and mitigate human rights risks.

I firmly believe we must continue to make sure that the UK helps make the world safer, fairer, and better for all. We cannot ignore human rights abuses or damaging environmental practices. I will certainly monitor progress on negotiations around a new UN Treaty.

I also understand the concerns you raise about trade agreements. I support fair trade, which in my view is about international trade agreements that support human rights and workers’ rights, combat exploitation and undermining of trade union activity, and support environmental and climate justice.

The UK Government has said it is exploring environmental provisions in the design of free trade agreements. It has recently agreed it will report to Parliament on the impact of new trade agreements on environmental protection standards. While I welcome this, I believe we must also be given parliamentary votes on these matters, as well as full parliamentary scrutiny of all future trade deals.

Thank you once again for contacting me about these important issues. I can assure you I will continue to support the protection of human rights, and support calls for environmental action worldwide.

Yours sincerely,

Peter Dowd MP