The UK is a key player in the global economy and UK based companies can have a positive impact in terms of reducing poverty overseas. However, some UK companies have been involved in human rights abuses and/or significant environmental damage through their overseas operations. Currently there is a lack of both authoritative guidance for companies to avoid such negative impacts, as well as for solutions and accountability when such breaches occur. This void creates greater risk for people, the environment, and businesses — as well as the UK’s reputation as a whole. Better systems need to be introduced to ensure all UK companies respect human rights and protect the environment when operating abroad.

Key objectives of a UK Commission for Business, Environment & Human Rights:

• provide redress for overseas victims of human rights abuses involving UK companies

• promote appropriate environmental and human rights standards for UK companies operating overseas and promulgate best practice

• work with other human rights commissions and relevant bodies to share learning and build their collective capacity to strengthen the effectiveness of redress in developing countries

How Could it work?

1. Promote – global and local laws, standards and best practice that are relevant to the human rights and environmental impacts of UK companies wherever they operate

2. Evaluate – the effectiveness of existing standards, regulations and voluntary principles applicable to the overseas operations of UK companies and, where relevant, recommend regulatory and policy reforms to the UK Government and to business

3. Receive and investigate – complaints against UK companies relating to their operations abroad

4. Mediate – between parties to facilitate conflict resolution

5. Remedy – harm done to people and the environment by UK companies abroad

6. Sanction – corporations for egregious misconduct which contravenes recognised standards

7. Collaborate – with relevant actors and bodies based in host countries

8. Guidance – to government on improving existing law and policy