Event information

23 September 2021, 13:00-15:00

Expert Consultation on the Role of Business in Transitional Justice Contexts

Event

SRSG Martin Kobler addresses a ceremony in Goma, North Kivu province, to mark the destruction of weapons and ammunitions on 20 November 2013. SRSG Martin Kobler addresses a ceremony in Goma, North Kivu province, to mark the destruction of weapons and ammunitions on 20 November 2013.
SP Logo blue english   10 UNGP logo colour 002

As part of its ongoing work focused on business and human rights in conflict-affected areas, the United Nations (UN) Working Group on Business and Human Rights is developing a guidance note that will include practical recommendations for those engaged in the design and implementation of remediation processes in transitional justice contexts.

To help inform the forthcoming guidance, the UN Working Group invites relevant experts (including academics, business, civil society, government, and UN representatives) to participate in an online consultation hosted by the Geneva Academy.

The discussion will address questions such as the relationship between reparations, development, and peacebuilding; how to incentivize business participation in transitional justice; understanding business responsibility; practical implications for non-judicial grievance mechanisms; broader reflections and lessons learned.

Besides this online consultation, the UN Working Group has also issued a call for written inputs (deadline: 18 October 2021).

Background

The Working Group has recognized that improving access to remedy (pillar III of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights) in situations of post-conflict transitional justice is complex but necessary. As the Working Group explained in its report on business, human rights and conflict presented to the 2020 UN General Assembly, in situations of transitional justice ‘businesses have a responsibility to remedy their past behaviour’ and “should engage with relevant transitional justice processes and contribute to truth, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence where appropriate.” How this should occur is sometimes unclear for states, businesses, and civil society, however.

 

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

News

New Working Paper Explores AI for Human Rights and SDG Monitoring

30 January 2025

A new working paper, 'AI Decoded: Key Concepts and Applications of Artificial Intelligence for Human Rights and SDG Monitoring', has been published by the Geneva Human Rights Platform.

Read more

neurodata graphics News

New Research Brief Evaluates the Effectiveness of GDPR in Mitigating Risks Associated with the Distinctive Nature of Neurodata

21 January 2025

Our recent research brief, Neurodata: Navigating GDPR and AI Act Compliance in the Context of Neurotechnology, examines how effectively GDPR addresses the unique risks posed by neurodata.

Read more

Event

Strengths and Challenges of Inter-State Applications Before the European Court of Human Rights

12 May 2025, 18:30-20:00

In this Geneva Academy Talk Judge Lətif Hüseynov will discuss the challenges of inter-State cases under the ECHR, especially amid rising conflict-related applications.

Read more

Warzone Event

Advanced IHL Seminar for Academics and Policymakers

25-29 August 2025, 09:00-17:30

Co-hosted with the ICRC, this event aims to enhance the capacity of academics to teach and research international humanitarian law, while also equipping policymakers with an in-depth understanding of ongoing legal debates.

Read more

Town Hall Meeting Training

Localizing International Human Rights

8-10 October 2025

This training course, specifically designed for staff of city and regional governments, will explore the means and mechanisms through which local and regional governments can interact with and integrate the recommendations of international human rights bodies in their concrete work at the local level.

Read more

A general view of participants during of the 33nd ordinary session of the Human Rights Council. Training

The Universal Periodic Review and the UN Human Rights System: Raising the Bar on Accountability

10-14 November 2025

This training course will explore the origin and evolution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its functioning in Geneva and will focus on the nature of implementation of the UPR recommendations at the national level.

Read more

Project

The Lake Room Initiative (Space for Dialogue)

Started in February 2024

Read more

Panel Discussion: Project

Treaty Body Members’ Platform

Started in January 2014

The Treaty Body Members’ Platform connects experts in UN treaty bodies with each other as well as with Geneva-based practitioners, academics and diplomats to share expertise, exchange views on topical questions and develop synergies.

Read more

Cover of the publication Publication

Briefing N° 25: Localizing Multilateralism

published on March 2025

Domenico Zipoli, Ludovica Chiussi Curzi, Kamelia Kemileva

Read more

Cover page of the working paper Publication

AI Decoded: Key Concepts and Applications of Artificial Intelligence for Human Rights and SDG Monitoring

published on January 2025

Milica Mirkovic, Jennifer Victoria Scurrell

Read more