The parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights has excerpted LPHR’s written evidence in its new report published today entitled: Human Rights and Business 2017: Promoting Responsibility and Ensuring Accountability.
It uses our written evidence as the basis for one of their recommendations to importantly strengthen the UK National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (NCP).
The excerpt from our written evidence is at paragraph 214 of the report:
“Other witnesses, such as the TUC and Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights, suggested that it was perverse for businesses that have had critical statements made against them by the NCP to be given export finance or awarded lucrative public sector contracts. In particular, Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights considered that it was inappropriate for G4S to be awarded a contract to run a Government-funded discrimination helpline, when it had not adequately responded to criticisms made by the NCP:
““G4S’ response to the UK NCP’s findings has objectively fallen short of that expected of a company that expresses it is committed to applying the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. We believe G4S’ inability to responsibly admit, let alone sufficiently address, its involvement in human rights violations against Palestinians as found by the UK NCP, raises substantial concern over its ability, suitability and credibility to importantly assist others facing discrimination.””
The following recommendation of the Joint Committee on Human Rights is at paragraph 218 of the report:
“In order for the Government to support, and not undermine, decisions of the NCP, we recommend that the Government gives clear guidance to procurement officers that large public sector contracts, export credit, and other financial benefits should not be awarded to companies who have received negative final statements from the NCP and who have not made effective and timely efforts to address any issues raised.”
LPHR welcomes the Joint Committee on Human Rights’ report as a valuable and influential contribution towards promoting the implementation of business and human rights responsibilities owed by corporations and the Government.