OECD and National Human Rights Institutions sign historic memorandum of understanding

Joining forces: OECD and National Human Rights Institutions sign historic MoU to promote business respect of human rights

At the 11th conference of the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions (ICC) held in Amman, Jordan on 4-7 October 2012, the OECD and ICC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote business respect for human rights, including aims at further cooperation for the fulfilment of the human rights chapter of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights.

The MoU includes the establishment of a three year program of mutual assistance and cooperation, specifically ways in which NHRIs can play a role in promoting the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, including assisting the OECD National Contact Points.

- The MoU marks and important step towards more systematic communication and cooperation between the ICC and the OECD. NHRIs are uniquely placed to inform about the human rights situation of their countries of operation - information which can be of central use to OECD National Contact Points in conducting their mediation and recommendations work on the basis of the OECD Guidelines for multinational enterprises, said Claire Methven O’Brien, Senior Adviser at DIHR and co-drafter of the MoU.

The ICC Working Group on Business and Human Rights is currently drafting a Fact Sheet which elaborates on the ways NHRIs and OECD Contact Points can work together- including best practice examples.

Read the joint press release of the ICC and OECD here.

Read full text of the Memorandum of Understanding:
- English
-French
-Spanish
-Arabic