Fifteen years ago, on 16 June 2011, the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Implementing the United Nations 'Protect, Respect and Remedy' Framework (UNGPs) were unanimously endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council. The UNGPs set global standards for preventing and addressing the adverse impacts of business activities on human rights. They provide a threefold 'protect, respect and remedy' framework whereby states have the duty to protect human rights against abuse by third parties; business enterprises have the responsibility to respect human rights; and both states and businesses have the duty to put in place appropriate and effective remedies to tackle human rights violations.
For over a decade, the IBA has actively promoted the implementation of the UNGPs within legal practice by supporting practitioners, law firms and bar associations to integrate the UNGPs into their work. Its Updated 2023 Guidance Note on Business and Human Rights: The role of lawyers in the changing landscape explicitly applies the UNGPs to law firms, acknowledging them as entities responsible for respecting human rights. It emphasises that legal advice and services can enable corporate abuses even when client conduct is technically lawful and urges lawyers to counsel on both binding laws and soft law standards, including the UNGPs, to help prevent or minimise harm.
Maria Fernanda Mierez and Vanessa Zimmerman, Co-Chairs of the IBA Business Human Rights Committee , stated: 'The 15th anniversary of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights marks an important milestone for the IBA Business Human Rights Committee. The IBA and our Committee have been engaged with the UNGPs since the very beginning of their development and implementation. The recently updated IBA Guidance Note on Business and Human Rights highlights how the relevance of the UNGPs to the legal profession has grown significantly, particularly following the enactment of mandatory human rights due diligence and reporting legislation in many jurisdictions. As companies increasingly recognize the identification and management of human rights risks as a key strategic objective, they expect their lawyers to serve not only as technical legal experts but also as trusted advisors capable of identifying and addressing human rights impacts through the lens of both hard and soft law standards.'
The 2024 edition of the IBA Guidance on Business and Human Rights for Bar Associations: The role of lawyers in the changing landscape outlines essential steps for Bars to take in order to support lawyers in preventing and mitigating corporate human rights abuse.
Steven Richman, Chair of the IBA Bar Issues Commission, stated: 'Bar associations are key actors in the operationalization of the UNGPs. The IBA Guidance helps Bars engage lawyers by promoting education, raising awareness of ethical responsibilities, building professional capacity through practical guidance and technical support and encouraging the legal profession's involvement in developing laws, policies and practices that advance respect for human rights.'
While the UNGPs are recognised as soft law, they have informed legal developments internationally. In 2021, in an IBA interview , the late Professor John Ruggie, a former Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and architect of the UNGPs, spoke about the evolution of due diligence. He argued that for governments, due diligence sets a focal point to know what can be asked of businesses; for businesses, it provides an approach to social risk management; and for civil society, it holds the promise of less harm to human rights.
As the UNGPs have shaped policies and legal approaches, current and future legislative developments are poised to further integrate the UNGPs into hard law. In March 2026, when a landmark judgment awarded damages under the French Duty of Vigilance Act, the Court drew on the UNGPs to hold that due diligence legislation pursues both the objectives of corporate accountability and compensation for victims, showing the influence of the UNGPs in case law.
The 15th anniversary of the UNGPs is both a moment to reflect on progress and a reminder of the work that remains ahead. As business and human rights considerations become increasingly embedded in law and practice, the legal profession has a unique opportunity and responsibility to help shape a more accountable, sustainable and rights-respecting global economy. Through its guidance and convening role, the IBA will continue to support lawyers in advancing respect for human rights, access to remedy and the rule of law.
