Co-Chair
Maria Fernanda
Mierez
Co-Chair
Vanessa Zimmerman
Business Human Rights Committee
The Business Human Rights (BHR) Committee creates awareness of business and human rights and broader corporate sustainability principles. Preventing and addressing business-related human rights risks is key to ethical business, good governance and increasingly legal compliance for businesses including law firms.
The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, as the core international standard, provide guidance on governments’ duty to protect against human rights harm by business; business’ responsibility to respect human rights; and access to remedy for business-related human rights harm.
The BHR Committee promotes legal skills to advise clients in this area and facilitates dialogue among lawyers to support evolution.
Forthcoming conferences and webinars View All Conferences
IBA Annual Conference Copenhagen 2026
04 Oct - 09 Oct 2026
Copenhagen , Denmark
Publications
Attacks on the rule of law and the threat to business and human rights
The rule of law (ROL) is essential for effectively implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). It faces serious and growing global threats. Attacks on the ROL that weaken protections against and increase the likelihood of business-related human rights abuse will lead to the undermining of global economic, environmental and social stability. The formation of a broad coalition to defend the ROL and uphold business commitments to respect human rights would help to address these risks.
Released on Nov 21, 2025
Introduction to the IBA Business Human Rights Committee e-Bulletin (continued)
An introduction to the IBA Business Human Rights Committee e-Bulletin, released in November 2025. This follows on from the introduction in the e-Bulletin email.
Released on Nov 21, 2025
Anti-trafficking legislation around the world - recent US and global trends
The global focus on human trafficking has led to a recent proliferation of laws, with substantive US trends mirroring those seen in countries around the world. For policymakers considering potential legislative enhancements, the body of laws provides ample choice for potential inspiration.
Released on Sep 21, 2025
Corporate responsibility in the age of surveillance and transnational repression: legal obligations and human rights due diligence
The proliferation of advanced surveillance technologies has outpaced the evolution of legal safeguards, potentially resulting in significant threats to privacy, the freedom of expression and other human rights. Emerging regulatory frameworks, however, do impose binding human rights due diligence obligations on companies. This article examines the obligations of corporations, particularly those developing and distributing surveillance tools.
Released on Aug 21, 2025
Subcommittees and other groups
The Business Human Rights Committee also coordinates the activities of the following subcommittees/working groups.
- Business Human Rights Committee Advisory Board