View the (Updated) National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights
Development
Main Coordinating Authority
Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Drafting Process
The United Kingdom published its first NAP in 2013, following a series of stakeholder consultations in advance of the drafting process, and circutlated the draft to a range of Government agencies for comments. The NAP was also published in a number of languages. Following the publication of the 2013 NAP, a multi-stakeholder workshop was held in 2015 over 5 days within the context of updating the NAP. The updated was subsequently published in 2016.
Content
The plan follows the Three Pillar structure of the UNGPs.
Under each Pillar it outlines the existing domestic context and details a number of actions that have been taken; alongside a series of Government commitments to further implement its commitments for each Pillar.
It also details a number of specific case studies where it highlights actions taken domestically and in an international context.
Devolved Initiatives
While the plan reaffirms that it is a National Action Plan for the United Kingdom it does note that within the UK, Devolved Administrations may develop their own action plans or strategies in support of this plan, and in line with the commitment to implement the UNGPs.
Scotland’s National Action Plan for Human Rights (SNAP) contains a commitment to develop a coordinated plan of action to implement the UNGPs, building on the UK’s Action Plan. The SNAP “Better World Action Group” commissioned a national baseline assessment to provide an evidence base for the Action Group to coordinate the development of an implementation plan. Following the baseline assessment a number of stakeholder consultations took place; and a Drafting Group is now drafting a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. To inform this work, a comparative review of National Action Plans around the world has been published by the Scottish Human Rights Commission.
In Northern Ireland, a Business and Human Rights Forum has been established, providing a mutli-stakholder forum to share good practice and as a means of engaging with the UK National Action Plan. The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission has launched a report on “Public Procurement and Human Rights, and has produced a Guide for Businesses in Northern Ireland on Business and Human Rights.
Review and Monitoring
The NAP acknowledges the need to monitor the international momentum, new ideas and best practice closely and use them to inform future policy development. Representatives of business and civil society will meet periodically in the cross-Whitehall Steering Group to monitor implementation. A report will be made each year on progress in the Annual Report on Human Rights and Democracy of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
