Recommendations for National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights
6. Ensuring government policy coherence
A. Background for recommendation
1) A consistent approach on business and human rights is required for effective
policies on business and human rights. Since the government is the principal actor
who gives directions and leads other actors regarding human rights matters,
coherence of government policies is the prerequisite for public trust and support.
2) Government activities on business and human rights require mutual understanding
of the government expectation on corporate activities. Based on this mutual
understanding, the government needs to ensure coherence in policies on business
and human rights and to conduct training on business and human rights for
relevant public servants.
B. Domestic / overseas standards and cases
1) UNGPs
8. States should ensure that governmental departments, agencies and other State-based
institutions that shape business practices are aware of and observe the State’s
human rights obligations when fulfilling their respective mandates, including by
providing them with relevant information, training and support.
2) The UN Guiding Principle above emphasizes the need for reinforcement of
capacity building and training on business and human rights as a measure to
ensure policy coherence. Specifically, measures such as development of training
materials for relevant officials of the government and public institutions and
operation of and support for training programs.
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