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ARTICLE · 15 MARCH 2019

Consultations Open On The UN "Zero Draft" Treaty On Business And Human Rights

Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
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This treaty could have far-reaching implications for Canadian businesses involved in transnational activities.

CanadaGovernment, Public Sector
Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
Benedict Wray
Benedict Wray
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There is currently a short window of opportunity to provide input on the UN's zero draft of a Legally Binding Instrument to Regulate, in International Human rights Law, the Activities of Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises (the Zero Draft). This treaty could have far-reaching implications for Canadian businesses involved in transnational activities.

The UN Human Rights Council's Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with respect to Human Rights (the Working Group) released a report on February 6, 2019, summarizing the fourth session of negotiations on the Zero Draft. The Zero Draft is an attempt to build off the 2011 UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) by creating a legally binding set of business and human rights obligations for states and corporations with transnational activities. 

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