A National Action Plan is a key strategy for Egypt to outline how it implements the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).
The NCHR’s role in promoting this plan has been reflected in its engagement with policy and legislative aspects of business and human rights at the national level.
The reason behind the NCHR’s efforts to promote an action plan for human rights in business is that it is a prerequisite for attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are derived from all aspects of human rights.
In the contemporary global economy, human rights are no longer a peripheral concern of corporate social responsibility but a vital component of strategic business operations.
The centrality of human rights in business lies in their direct contribution to resilience, risk management, and long-term value creation. A robust human rights framework is not a constraint on business activity; rather, it is a critical enabler of sustainable success.
The UNGPs on Business and Human Rights represent a shift from ethical duty to strategic imperative. Businesses must avoid infringing on the rights of others and address adverse impacts with which they are involved.
For companies, this translates into a proactive process of human rights due diligence—a systematic effort to identify, prevent, and mitigate human rights risks across operations and supply chains.
This due diligence is vital for several reasons. It protects a company’s reputation, secures its social license to operate, and mitigates legal and financial risks.
A failure to respect human rights can lead to consumer boycotts, investor divestment, costly litigation, and operational disruptions. Integrating human rights, therefore, is not merely an ethical issue but a core element of sound corporate governance and effective risk management.
Furthermore, when adverse impacts occur, the strength of a company’s commitment is tested by its approach to remedy. Effective grievance mechanisms allow businesses to address harms promptly, rebuild trust with affected communities, and prevent escalation.
Providing or cooperating in a remedy is not an admission of failure but a demonstration of accountability. It is a vital feedback loop that strengthens operational integrity and community relations, turning crises into opportunities to reinforce corporate values.
Navigating new frontiers with a human rights compass
Even the transition to a green economy can infringe on human rights if not implemented with full respect for them. The shift to renewable energy depends heavily on access to minerals and land. Without a human rights lens, this “green rush” can lead to forced displacement and harm to Indigenous communities.
Respecting rights such as Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) is essential to ensure that the energy transition is both sustainable and equitable, thereby securing the long-term viability of renewable projects.
Another emerging dimension of business and human rights concerns the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), which poses profound risks, including algorithmic bias and privacy violations.
For technology companies, proactively embedding human rights into the design and deployment of AI systems is vital to prevent harm, build user trust, and navigate the evolving regulatory landscape.
A further dimension is supply chain resilience. Complex global supply chains are often susceptible to human rights abuses such as forced and child labour, and gender inequality in hiring and wages.
Conducting human rights due diligence is therefore essential to build transparent, resilient, and ethical supply chains, as well as sound human resource policies. These measures protect brands, stabilize production, and ensure fair treatment for workers.
The vitality of human rights in business is clear: it is a strategic imperative underpinning long-term profitability and stability.
By moving beyond compliance to fully integrate human rights into their operations, through diligent risk assessment, respectful engagement with communities, and a genuine commitment to remedy, businesses do more than protect people.
They future-proof their operations, enhance their brand reputation, and build the trust required to thrive in a complex and transparent world. In the 21st century, respecting human rights is not only the right thing to do, it is vital for business.
* The author is member of Egypt's National Council for Human Rights
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