UN Experts to Visit Georgia to Assess Corporate Respect for Human Rights

The United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights will undertake its first official country visit to Georgia from 3 to 12 April to assess efforts to identify, prevent and address adverse human rights impacts of business operations.

“The inclusion of a specific chapter on business and human rights in the 2018-20 Georgian Human Rights National Action Plan demonstrates the commitment of the government to promote corporate respect for human rights. We look forward to learning about the concrete steps to develop a coherent policy framework and translate this commitment into reality,” said Mr. Surya Deva, Chairperson of the Working Group and member of the visiting delegation.

“We will pay special attention to the situation of individuals and communities who are particularly vulnerable to business-related human rights abuse, including in the context of natural resource extraction, large-scale construction and tourism projects,” Deva added.

The UN experts will look at current efforts of the Georgian government and businesses to implement their respective human rights obligations and responsibilities under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The Guiding Principles provide an authoritative framework not only to identify, prevent and mitigate adverse human rights impacts of business activities, but also to provide victims access to effective remedies.

“We welcome the invitation from the government to conduct this visit, which we hope will assist both the government and companies to advance business respect for human rights in the country in line with international human rights law and standards,” said Elzbieta Karska, Vice-Chairperson the Working Group and another member of the delegation.

“In addition to engaging in a constructive dialogue with various government ministries and agencies, we will meet a range of civil society actors, human rights defenders and trade unions, as well as representatives of business enterprises and industry associations,” she noted.

During their visit to Georgia, the experts will hold meetings in Tbilisi and in different locations of the Imereti region and the Autonomous Republic of Adjara.

The Working Group will present a full report of its findings and recommendations to the Human Rights Council in June 2020.