Strengthening business responsibility for human rights in Arab-African cooperation

The Interministerial Delegation for Human Rights (DIDH) shared the outcomes of the Arab-African Forum on Business and Human Rights held in Marrakech on June 24-25. This took place during a high-level panel in Geneva, alongside the 59th session of the Human Rights Council.

Mohamed El Habib Belkouch, the Interministerial Delegate for Human Rights, opened the discussion emphasizing the vital connection between human rights, development, and economic activities.

The Marrakech forum gathered over 300 participants from 32 countries to foster links between international and regional human rights systems and promote cooperation. The forum’s key conclusions advocate for the creation of a binding international instrument and the adherence to existing international and regional standards.

The dialogue highlighted the evolving relationship between businesses and human rights, stressing the importance of a clear legal framework outlining the responsibilities of states and companies. The United Nations and OECD guiding principles, along with sustainable development goals, provided the basis for this discussion.

Belkouch emphasized that while entrepreneurship seeks profit legitimately, it must be balanced by legal mechanisms that safeguard human dignity. Challenges include fostering positive corporate interactions with national laws and engaging society in fulfilling commitments. Companies must contribute economically, socially, culturally, and environmentally.

Addressing these issues requires strategic visions, resource mobilization, and robust protection, control, and monitoring mechanisms, including judicial institutions. Governments, parliaments, national mediation bodies, and civil society organizations need to collaborate closely.

The forum showcased experiences and opportunities related to national entrepreneurship and human rights plans, highlighting the importance of strategic planning and local contexts. Good practices for integrating human rights clauses into investment agreements were also presented.

Belkouch stressed the necessity of political will, supportive legal and institutional frameworks, and forward-looking action plans. Investing in capacity building and embedding human rights principles within corporate policies is crucial.

Ultimately, the goal is a comprehensive societal vision and public policies prioritizing human dignity and rights, within an integrated approach to development, equity, social justice, and sustainability.

The panel, themed “Responsible Business Conduct: Challenges and Opportunities to Strengthen Human Rights,” included representatives from various countries and international organizations. The debate highlighted Morocco’s regional role, particularly in Africa, through Royal initiatives supporting South-South cooperation.