B-Tech newsletter Volume 1, 2021

Volume 1 | 2021

Greetings,

To start the new year, the B-Tech Project has released another series of foundational papers, this time on various aspects of Access to Remedy. The Project also published an investor briefing exploring the responsibility of institutional investors to drive respect for human rights among digital technology companies. We also reflect on the panel discussions and dialogues hosted in recent months.

We are happy to announce the launch of our new blog series hosted on the B-Tech portal. We are kicking off the series with a blog post on the response of technology companies to the attack on the United States Capitol on 6 January 2021.

We welcome feedback and comments.

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New foundational papers & briefing

UN Human Rights B-Tech launches a new series of foundational papers on Access to Remedy

The papers are part of the UN Human Rights B-Tech Project foundational paper series. The series is being released to frame discussions on Access to Remedy to advance implementation of the UN Guiding Principles in the technology sector.

Access to Remedy: Concepts and Principles

An Ecosystem Approach to Access to Remedy

Company-based Grievance Mechanisms

Perspectives and Needs of Affected People

B-Tech launches briefing on Rights-Respecting Investment in Technology Companies

The investor briefing provides institutional investors with holdings in digital technology companies with high-level analysis and guidance on how to apply the UN Guiding Principles to their investments. It clarifies the human rights responsibilities of investors, identifies trends in current investor practice, and suggests resources for investors to consider in their efforts to advance respect for human rights among technology companies.

Access the briefing here.

New blog series

The recent measures taken by some technology companies in the aftermath of the events in the US Capitol on 6 January 2021 serve as a stark reminder of the importance of business applying the UNGPs consistently, and point to the potential ramifications of not doing so. The B-Tech team reflects in this blog on the developments and articulates which guidance the UNGPs can provide for such complex situations.

Access the blog post here.

Past events

UN B-Tech & UNGPs 10+ dialogue on investment and human rights

On October 29 2020, the UN B-Tech project and the UNGPs 10+ project co-hosted a virtual dialogue on institutional investment and human rights with over 30 participants from civil society, academia, and NHRIs. The purpose of the dialogue was to identify and discuss opportunities and challenges for responsible rights-based investment, as well as recommendations for scaling the uptake of the UN Guiding Principles among investors. Access the summary note here.

IGF 2020: Panel discussion on upholding human rights in the state-business nexus

B-Tech hosted an open forum at IGF 2020 on 6 November, focusing on Upholding Rights in the State-Business Nexus.

Panelists:

Philip Dawson, Element AI
Stephanie Hankey, Tactical Tech
Gary Davis, Apple
Gbenga Sesan, Paradigm Initiative
John Howell, Australian Human Rights Commission

Moderator: Mark Hodge, B-Tech

Watch the recording here

Access blog post here

Forum Business & Human Rights 2020: The smart mix of measures in tech

B-Tech invited participants to discuss how smart mix of measures for the responsible use of technology in re-building the global economy on 16 November.

Panelists:

Deniz Utlu, B&HR working group GANHRI
Eva Grambye, Danish Institute for Human Rights
Yves Nissim, Orange
Rémy Friedman, Swiss Federal Dept. of Foreign Affairs
Gbenga Sesan, Paradigm Initiative

Moderator: Lene Wendland, B-Tech

Watch the recording here