Rights-Compatible Grievance Mechanisms: A Guidance Tool for Companies and Their Stakeholders

Abstract

Individuals, workers and communities whose human rights are negatively impacted by corporate operations are becoming ever more vocal and successful in demanding that their grievances be addressed. Some of these grievances are projected through lawsuits under domestic or overseas judicial systems. Others are the subject of major civil society campaigns, nationally or internationally. Yet there is also a growing body of extrajudicial mechanisms in the business and human rights arena to which complainants can take their concerns. This paper aims to provide an assessment of some of the strengths and weaknesses of this group of mechanisms and the gaps they leave uncovered. The analysis is based on a mixture of background research and consultations with representatives of business, NGOs, international organisations, multi-stakeholder initiatives, government, academia, the legal profession and others with experience of these mechanisms in practice.