On Monday 11th December “Business and Human Rights Conference” was held at Home of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia. The conference was organized by the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue in partnership with UNDP, the Belgrade Center for Human Rights, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, and OSCE.
That was the first step toward acknowledgment and wider implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in Serbia (UNGPs). The goal of the conference was an introduction to the impact of business on human rights.
In the introductory part, welcome notes were given by Nataša Tasić Knežević, MP and member of the Parliament Committee for Human and Minority Rights and Gender Equality, Tomislav Žigmanov, Minister of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue, Yakup Beris, UNDP Resident Representative in Serbia, Veran Matić, Chairman of the CCIS Corporate Social Responsibility Council and Sonja Tošković, Belgrade Centre for Human Rights Executive Director.
UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights were presented by Mr. Damilola Olawuyi, member of UN Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises, following the discussion on the Role of the State – International Framework and National Policies and Standards led by human rights and business consultant Nevena Dičić Kostić. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and Optional Protocol was presented by Mr. Michael Windfuhr, member of UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Mr. Jernej Letnar Černič, Professor of Law, Business and Human Rights Expert and Consultant talked on the development of the Legislative Framework in the EU and its Member States and Siniša Milatović, Advisor on Human Rights and Business in UNDP pointed out National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.
Two panel discussions were held during the conference – on Corporate Sector’s Role in Achieving International and National Standards in Practice and on Human Rights Protection in the Corporate Sphere.
Fruitful discussions covered activities and priorities for upholding and improving respect for human rights in business activities and explored the potential for long-term partnerships between relevant state institutions, independent bodies like the Commissioner for Protection of Equality and Ombudsperson, Chambers of Commerce of the Republic of Serbia, trade unions, companies, business associations, civil society, and academia. The BCHR is one of the first civil society organizations in Serbia that recognized the importance and role that NGOs can play in the implementation, education and protection of human rights in business sector.
During the conference two Memorandum on Cooperation were singed between the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights and Social Dialogue on one side and the Republic Agency for the Peaceful Settlement of Labor Disputes and Chamber of Commerce of Serbia on the other.
“Business and Human Rights Conference” Agenda is available HERE.
