Switzerland

4. Position of the Federal Council on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights 

4.3 The position and expectations of the Federal Council [page 7]

The corporate responsibility to respect human rights refers to internationally recognised human rights. These include the human rights and principles rooted in the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN’s International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the UN’s International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the principles of the basic rights laid down in the eight fundamental conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) 16 , and in the Tripartite Declaration of Principles Concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy17. In addition to these instruments, the regional mechanisms instituted by the Council of Europe, and specifically the European Convention on Human Rights and its Additional Protocols are also important for Switzerland. Depending on the circumstances, business enterprises must also observe additional standards concerning particularly vulnerable population groups (cf. OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, Guideline 40). These include, for example, the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the international conventions protecting women, minorities, children, people with disabilities and migrant workers and members of their families.

In addition, the Federal Council expects business enterprises in armed conflicts to abide by the standards of international humanitarian law. Where local legislation does not correspond to international standards, the Federal Council recommends that business enterprises still comply with the international standards.