organizations are and should be viewed as essential partners for sustainable development. With that in mind, CSOs then have the space to forge partnerships between the government, the business sector, and communities for joint actions toward common development goals. CSOs can utilize the UNGP-BHR as a framework in developing their business and human rights agenda and advocacy campaign work to guide them in their engagement and partnerships with relevant stakeholders. It provides CSOs with information on the baseline expectations for the protection and respect of human rights in the business setting, which they can refer to when documenting, monitoring, and reporting business human rights impacts. Additionally, a better-framed engagement can aid critical reflection and decision-making of the stakeholders and help maintain an objective perspective, especially in documenting positive business impacts that are often overshadowed by the sheer number of reported adverse effects of businesses on human rights and communities. Initiative Spotlight  Business and Human Rights National Action Plan Civil Society Platform (Japan)  CSO Technical Working Group for NAP-BHR (Philippines), spearheaded by the CHR, PAHRA, the National Economic and Development Authority, and the National Anti-Poverty Commission 3.4. Communities Business and economic development should not have to come at the expense of the rights of individuals and communities. However, there are instances wherein negotiation processes between companies and communities are made to be vague and may sometimes involve deliberate deception. It is crucial that communities know their rights and become aware of what businesses are allowed and not allowed to do. With the assistance of CSOs, peoples’ organizations, and other stakeholders and guided by the UNGP-BHR and other related laws, communities affected by businesses will be educated on what they need to look out for during negotiations, how to assess business and investment propositions, and how they may prevent risks, abuses, and violations while maximizing the benefits of projects for the sustainable development of the community and the people. Moreover, with Pillar 3, making judicial and non-judicial remediation mechanisms for abuses and violations available and accessible is crucial. It will reduce the barriers to access to justice, e.g., the costs of filing a lawsuit and the lack of legal representation, of communities and vulnerable groups like the women and the indigenous people. 4. HOW DO WE DO IT? 4.1. Establish inclusive human rights governance Enabling policy environment and guidelines for business respect for human rights In fulfilling the State duty to protect human rights, the UNGP-BHR lays down that States must create an enabling environment that will guarantee and encourage business respect for human rights. Through the regulatory and policy functions, the government must revisit existing related laws and implement coherent and effective policies, regulations, legislation, and adjudication, and set clear guidelines to businesses on respecting human rights and communicating their actions to address their human rights impacts.54 13