A/HRC/32/45
97.
Based on that review, States should identify key entry points and measures to
be taken to more effectively discharge their obligations under principle 4 of the
Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, taking into account the measures
suggested in Section III of this report. States should specify the precise tasks they
commit to do in this respect in a public document, such as a National Action Plan.
98.
At a minimum, States should clearly set their expectations that State-owned
enterprises respect human rights throughout their operations, adopt human rights
commitments and be role models in this regard. States could set out their expectations
in a specific document such as a national action plan or, preferably, amend existing
regulations on ownership, corporate governance or responsible business conduct so as
to expand their coverage.
99.
States should be coherent in their implementation of international standards
and not implement them selectively. More specifically, the OECD Guidelines on
Corporate Governance of State-owned Enterprises should be implemented in a
mutually reinforcing manner with the Guiding Principles on Business and Human
Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
100. States should, as a matter of policy coherence and accountability, ensure that
the scope of any future legally binding instrument on or relevant to business and
human rights covers enterprises that are owned or controlled by the State.
Recommendations to State-owned enterprises
101. State-owned enterprises should strive to be role models and fully meet their
responsibility to respect human rights.
102. To do so, they should adopt appropriate policies and processes to address
abuse, including a policy commitment, human rights due diligence and remediation
mechanisms when harm occurs, which are integrated throughout their operations.
Recommendations to national human rights institutions
103. National human rights institutions should assess whether relevant policies
relating to State-owned enterprises are aligned with the State’s human rights
obligations and provide guidance to the State in this regard.
104. They should provide guidance to State-owned enterprises on their human
rights responsibilities.
Recommendations to international organizations and the United Nations system
105. International organizations and the United Nations system should assist States
and promote coherence in their implementation of international guidelines on
corporate governance, responsible business conduct and human rights.
106. They should promote such coherence when supporting States in developing
national plans to meet the Sustainable Development Goals, especially given the
potentially significant role that State-owned enterprises will play in this regard.
107. They should support initiatives to contribute to building the knowledge base
and competency of boards of directors and management of State-owned enterprises
with regard to respect for human rights.
Recommendations to the United Nations human rights system
108. United Nations human rights treaty bodies and special procedures, in
examining individual communications under their complaint procedures, assessing
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