A research report prepared by Oxford Pro Bono Publico for the United Nations Special Representative on Business and Human Rights (July 2009)

This brief was prepared by OPBP to inform the mandate of Professor John Ruggie, the Special Representative of the United Nations’ Secretary- General on business and human rights (‘SRSG’).

The SRSG has been asked at various stages of his mandate to explore the regulations of corporations in relation to corporate human rights abuses. This has come in many forms, including a previous report prepared by OPBP in 2008 surveying obstacles faced by victims of corporate human rights abuses in obtaining redress (available here). In a similar vein, this brief seeks to inform the SRSG about soft law developments in the European Community in relation to corporate social responsibility.