Status
The former Ministry of Women, Family and Human Rights (MMFDH) began a process to develop a national action plan on business and human rights. The legislative decree 9571/2018 created a Steering Committee for the creation of a NAP. As of January 12, 2023 no information is available on whether the process will be continued by the reorganized Ministry of Human Rights and Civil Participation (MDHC). Currently, the National Secretariat for Promotion and Defense of Human Rights (SNPDDH) is the ministerial organ responsible for formulating public policies regarding business and human rights.
Meanwhile, the former Ministry of the Economy (MDE) published a National Action Plan on Responsible Business Conduct (PACER) in December 2022 (Portuguese only). This plan focuses on implementation of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. It contains 6 axis, of which one is on Human Rights. The Human Rights axis is divided in ten parts:
- Human Rights in a Corporate Context
- Women’s Rights
- Children’s and Adolescents’ Rights
- Youth Rights
- Older Persons’ Rights
- Disabled Persons’ Rights
- Racial Equality
- Protection of Family
- Forced Labour
- Migrants and Refugees
Stakeholders views and analysis on the NAP
The legislative decree No. 9571/18 has been criticized by the HOMA Centre for Human Rights and Business due to its “top-down” and voluntaristic approach. In particular, CSOs have complained due to the lack of participation in the drafting process of the NAP.
