Parliamentary Briefing Paper: A Business, Human Rights and Environment Act

Last week, Peace Brigades International (PBI) joined a group of civil society organisations in publishing a joint briefing paper for MPs making the case for a Business, Human Rights and Environment Act.

The paper argues that the need for a new UK law is urgent, in order to hold companies to account when they fail to prevent human rights abuses and environmental harms in their national and global operations and supply chains.

A new law is called for by UK civil society organisations, companies, investors, and over 125,000 citizens who have signed a petition calling for action. What’s more, polling shows four out of every five people in Britain want new legislation to ensure businesses end environmental damage and exploitation across their investments, operations and value chains.

A Business, Human Rights and Environment Act would align the UK with steps being taken elsewhere in the world, and help prevent the kinds of abuses that human rights defenders have to denounce and oppose, leaving them to face enormous risks. Over four land and environmental defenders are murdered every week for standing up to destructive business projects.

You can read and download the briefing paper here.