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Global Business & Human Rights

Our Global Business & Human Rights blog features nuanced discussion regarding the responsibilities of multinational companies, governments and multilateral institutions towards sustainability, with a particular focus on international human rights.

Five on Friday – Five Recent Developments that We've Been Watching Closely
Blog April 20, 2018
Its Friday and time for another overview of developments in the field of business and human rights that we've been monitoring. This week's post includes: new reports on product liability law and the Internet of Things, Bangladeshs garment sector, and corporate lobbying on climate change, diversity and inclusion, and tax reform; and a new lawsuit seeing to hold oil companies accountable for the costs of climate change…
Mark Zuckerberg, FOSTA-SESTA, and the Challenges of Content Moderation
Blog April 18, 2018
In his testimony before Congress last week, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg observed that, on issues ranging from fake news to hate speech, the company didn't take a broad enough view of our responsibility, and that was a big mistake. Looking ahead, it remains to be seen what a broad enough view means for companies that both host online content. When the content that you and I see on various websites is determined by a complex ecosystem of content writers…
Five on Friday – Five Recent Developments that We've Been Watching Closely
Blog April 06, 2018
Its Friday and time for another overview of developments in the field of business and human rights that we've been monitoring. This week's post includes: two new reports looking at corporate compliance with the U.K. Modern Slavery Act and best practices with respect to efforts to address the risks of forced labor; and the release of a Frequently Asked Questions document by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regarding the presumption that goods made by North Korean workers are made……
Five on Friday – Five Recent Developments that We've Been Watching Closely
Blog December 08, 2017
Its Friday and time for another overview of developments in the field of business and human rights that we've been monitoring. This week's post includes: a revised Toolkit on National Action Plans on business and human rights; a new automobile industry initiative to address the social and environmental risks associated with raw materials sourcing; and a report from the NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights on the efforts of internet platform companies to address content that……
Five on Friday – Five Recent Developments that We've Been Watching Closely
Blog June 16, 2017
It's Friday and time for another overview of developments in the field of business and human rights that we've been monitoring. This week's post includes: the announcement of a new corporate alliance intended to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace; the release of a paper by Professor John Ruggie on the development of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights; and guidance from the UN Office of the High Commission for Human Rights on the human rights……
Five on Friday – Five Recent Developments that We've Been Watching Closely
Blog April 07, 2017
It's Friday and time for another overview of developments in the field of business and human rights that we've been monitoring. This week's post includes: an effort by Twitter to enjoin U.S. Government demands for information regarding a user account critical of the Trump Administration; an announcement that seven telecommunications companies have joined the Global Network Initiative; and a decision by EITI to make project-level payment reporting mandatory…
Five on Friday – Five Recent Developments that We've Been Watching Closely
Blog March 24, 2017
It's Friday and time for another overview of developments in the field of business and human rights that we've been monitoring. This week's post includes: the European Parliaments adoption of a new conflict minerals regulation; the French Constitutional Councils review of the proposed duty of vigilance legislation; the dismissal of the Doe v. Nestle litigation; and the release of a new Corporate Accountability Index by Ranking Digital Rights…
Five on Friday – Five Recent Developments that We've Been Watching Closely
Blog February 10, 2017
It's Friday and time for another overview of developments in the field of business and human rights that we've been monitoring. This week's post includes: a federal court decision holding that U.S.-based companies may be obligated to turn over customer data stored outside the United States; an amicus brief opposing President Trumps Executive Order establishing an entry ban on individual from seven Muslim-majority countries; and new guidance from the OECD with regard to due diligence in……
Five on Friday – Five Recent Developments that We've Been Watching Closely
Blog December 16, 2016
It's Friday and time for another overview of developments in the field of business and human rights that we've been monitoring. This week's post includes: IHRBs annual list of the Top 10 business and human rights issues for the coming year; the latest benchmarking report from Know the Chain focused on apparel and footwear companies; and the release of a reference annex to the IBA Practical Guide on Business and Human Rights for Business Lawyers…
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Blog Editors

ABOUT

Foley Hoag’s Global Business and Human Rights practice provides counsel to multinational companies, governments, and multilateral institutions regarding social, political, and environmental challenges.

Our advice to clients encompasses legal and reputational risk management with respect to human rights, including labor rights and the rights of indigenous peoples; the design and implementation of stakeholder engagement programs; and professional auditing services, ranging from due diligence desk-top analyses to on-the-ground human rights impact assessments and the monitoring of social, human rights, and environmental initiatives.

In addition, we provide clients with crisis management and mediation services with respect to disputes with impacted communities and stakeholder groups, ranging from indigenous peoples to non-governmental organizations.