A/HRC/35/32 Contents Page I. II. III. 2 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 3 A. Background, aims and outline .............................................................................................. 3 B. Basic characteristics of small and medium-sized enterprises ............................................... 3 C. Human rights responsibilities of small and medium-sized enterprises ................................. 6 Implementing the Guiding Principles by small and medium-sized enterprises ............................. 7 A. Opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises ......................................................... 7 B. Small and medium-sized enterprises in supply chains .......................................................... 10 C. Role of States in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises ........................................ 12 D. Role of trade unions .............................................................................................................. 14 E. Role of business initiatives and associations ........................................................................ 14 F. Role of international organizations ....................................................................................... 15 Conclusions and recommendations ............................................................................................... 17 A. Conclusions .......................................................................................................................... 17 B. Recommendations................................................................................................................. 18