CP on Business and Human Rights

Rationale  

With Nepal trying to attract more foreign investments, especially but not only in the hydropower sector, there is an urgent need to discuss about this emerging area of human rights that compels governments and companies alike to uphold the rights of workers, respect those of local communities, including their right to so called Free Prior Informed Consent without damaging or destroying local ecosystems and overall nature.  

The ongoing attempts at creating a favorable, conducive and enabling environment for multinational companies to set up business in the country, offer a further reason why a country like Nepal should attach the due importance to the area of Business & Human Rights.  

In this scenario, it is worthy taking note that UNDP Business & Human Rights Project had chosen Nepal in March 2023 for the South Asia edition of the Business and Human Rights Forum.  

More in general, a publication by Business & Human Rights Asia, the program implemented by UNDP, entitled Reflections and Directions, Business and Human Rights in Asia: From the First Decade to the Next, highlights the importance of engaging and involving students to promote and create awareness on Business & Human Rights.  

We need to create a new mindset in Nepal and elsewhere in the Asia Pacific around the upholding and respect of human rights in the area of businesses.  

It remains therefore essential creating awareness and knowledge about Business & Human Rights among the existing major private players active in the national economy.  

For all these reasons, we believe that youths should play a big role in this whole, complex process.  

Other Key Factors  

The National Business and Human Rights Action Plan.  

Also, in this specific context, it is relevant to take into consideration the Government of Nepal’s interest and ongoing effort to promote business and human rights. In February 2024, the Government launched a National Business and Human Rights Action Plan that now must be implemented. 

Towards a Global Legal Treaty. 

At global level there is now an effort to come up with a Legally Binding Instrument (Treaty), a tool that would incorporate the voluntary and non-binding UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.  

Spreading Business & Human Rights in Asia: The Role of Youths,  

Aims of the Initiative 

• To create awareness on an area, Business & Human Rights that is still very new to Nepal. 

• To create the basis for a curriculum in the field of Business & Human Rights. 

• To provide a critical review of the National Plan on Business and Human Rights.  

Key Outputs 

 – Review and Analysis on the National Plan of Action on Business & Human Rights of Nepal.  

– At least 5 op-ed pieces written by the participants that will be published in local press 4. 

– Workshop on Business and Human Rights with presentations by the members of Community of Practitioners.  

– At least one presentation with other peers on Business and Human Rights.