integration of the human rights framework in the value chain, processes, and policies of
businesses, and remediation of human rights abuses in the business setting.
2.2. The UNGP-BHR: “Protect, Respect, and Remedy” Framework
The increasing influence of corporations in local and global communities has intensified calls
for a commitment-based discourse on sustainable and socially inclusive business practices.
The UNGP-BHR is a response to the need for international standards to address the impacts
of the business sector on human rights. It also presents an opportunity to harness the
competencies of corporations for the advancement of the protection and respect for human
rights of all people toward social inclusion and sustainable development. It introduced and
elucidated 31 guiding principles under the “Protect, Respect, and Remedy” Framework,
summarized in Figure 3.
Figure 3: Protect, Respect, and Remedy Framework of the UNGP-BHR29
Pillar
I. State
II. Business
III. Victim
Norm
Protect
Respect
Remedy
State duty to
protect human
rights against
abuses by third
actors, e.g.,
businesses
Corporate
responsibility to
respect human
rights across
value chain
Access of victims
of human rights
abuses to remedy
secured by State &
non-State actors
Policies,
regulation,
legislation &
adjudication
Policy commitment,
due diligence,
address impacts &
grievance
mechanisms
Judicial
remedies &
non-judicial
remedies
Expectation &
from whom
How
Interconnected & Interrelated
Pillar 1: State duty to protect human rights
The first pillar is founded on the existing State obligations under international law to respect,
protect, and fulfill human rights. Under this pillar, the emphasis is on the State’s duty to
protect human rights against adverse impacts by third actors, including corporations. To meet
this, the State must create an enabling environment for business respect for human rights.
The recommendations for this pillar include:30
Foster commitment to business respect for human rights among corporations within
its jurisdiction and abroad;
Pursue greater legal and policy coherence between its human rights obligations and
actions concerning business by implementing the necessary regulatory regime,
identifying regulatory gaps, and giving effective guidance to companies;
Support businesses operating in conflict-affected areas to help them avoid committing
human rights abuses; and
Ensure that government agencies are enforcing the policies and regulations. In the
Philippines, such agencies are the Department of Trade and Industry, the Securities
and Exchange Commission, the Department of Labor and Employment, the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the local government units.
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