engagement between the duty-bearers, rights-holders, and other stakeholders. Moreover,
CSO reporting on human rights violations and abuses has grown in strength and importance
at the international level, especially at the UN, where governments are reviewed for their
policies and actions on human rights. In turn, decisions and recommendations at the
international level are cascaded into national actions and policies.
6. CALL TO ACTION
The Multi-Stakeholder BHR Group stresses the importance of applying and complying with
the international standards and norms on human rights protection and respect in the country.
The UNGP-BHR offers us the wisdom and clarity on how to address human rights issues,
improve accountability, and guarantee remedy to human rights abuse victims. It also presents
us with the opportunity to develop a platform for collaboration toward deepening the
country's discourse on business and human rights and for building a more just, inclusive, and
sustainable future where the respect for the rights of every human being is at heart.
This Guidance Document is a step forward to achieving the above, but more remains to be
done. The government, the business sector, CSOs, the academe, and communities should
jointly pursue:
the adoption and implementation of the UNGP-BHR framework;
inclusive and participatory formulation of the Philippine NAP-BHR;
review of existing laws, business policies, and practices to determine and address gaps
as well as documentation of successful business respect for human rights initiatives;
capacity building programs for relevant government agencies to enhance their
appreciation of the human rights framework, particularly in the business setting, and
ensure its translation to coherent policies and guidelines;
knowledge transfer activities with the business sector on assessing their practices and
human rights impacts and on integrating the human rights framework in their value
chains, processes, policies, and cultures toward the creation of their policy
commitments and OGMs;
empowerment programs for communities and the vulnerable sectors to help them
better understand their rights, the mechanisms, and options they have in dealing with
investors, businesses, and development projects; and
multi-stakeholder platforms and partnerships to ensure the coherence and harmony
of all stakeholders' policies and actions for business and human rights.
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