UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights to visit Colombia, July 29 to August 9

Published by Brent Patterson on May 22, 2024May 22, 2024

Photo: Members of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights.

The UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights will be visiting Colombia this coming July 29 to August 9.

Their announcement notes: “During its visit to Colombia, the Working Group will examine business and human rights issues and identify current initiatives, practices, challenges and opportunities at the national and local level to implement the Guiding Principles and promote responsible business conduct.”

The UN further explains: “As set out in resolution 17/4, the Working Group has a mandate promote, disseminate and implement the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). The group is also mandated to exchange and promote good practices and lessons learned on the implementation of the UNGPs, and to assess and make recommendations thereon.”

The Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights is an instrument consisting of 31 principles that was endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council on June 16, 2011, making the framework the first corporate human rights responsibility initiative to be endorsed by the United Nations.

Its three “general principles” highlight:

(a) States’ existing obligations to respect, protect and fulfil human rights and fundamental freedoms

(b) The role of business enterprises as specialized organs of society performing specialized functions, required to comply with all applicable laws and to respect human rights

(c) The need for rights and obligations to be matched to appropriate and effective remedies when breached.

PBI-Canada will follow with interest the visit of this Working Group.

Global Affairs Canada has highlighted: “The total stock of Canadian direct investment in Colombia reached $6.4 billion in 2022 making Colombia the fourth largest investment destination for Canada in South and Central America.”

In 2022, Natural Resources Canada projected 28 companies with $1.015 billion of “Canadian mining assets” in Colombia, and $8 billion of “Canadian energy assets” in 2018 (most recent public data).

The UN Guiding Principles also applies to corporations that sell “military goods” such as armoured vehicles and helicopters. Over the last five years Canada has exported to Colombia at least $21,111.10 (2022), $88,403.11 (2021), $460,338.87 (2020), and $310,576.25 (2018) in military goods. This does not include the (non-publicly disclosed) military goods and/or components that are produced in Canada, then exported to the United States, then transferred to Colombia.

The Peace Brigades International-Colombia Project has accompanied human rights defenders, including those who challenge business harms, since 1994.