The conflict in the Ukraine is a tragedy which is having an untold impact on the region and AIM-Progress stands in solidarity with workers and communities impacted. At this time, companies must respond to protect their employees and suppliers, the communities they operate in and to support those displaced and in need. Our members’ public statements indicate the steps they are taking to protect employees – examples here and here, and to provide humanitarian relief - examples here and here. A number of members have suspended operations in Russia – examples here and here.
AIM-Progress will continue to support its members to follow international humanitarian and criminal law, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and responsible sourcing practices. We are creating opportunities for members and external stakeholders to share challenges and best practice and to support the coordination of response efforts. Below is a list of existing guidance to support companies to understand and manage the potential impact of the conflict on people and businesses in their operations and supply chains, as well as a list of statements from external organisations on their respective positions.
Guidance:
- UN Guidance for businesses in conflict settings:
- Seek advice from embassies and investment and trade-related functions to receive conflict-sensitive advisory services and tools to assist them in respecting human rights in conflict-affected settings.
- Engage in heightened human rights due diligence that incorporates tools from atrocity prevention and conflict prevention to augment their existing due diligence frameworks.
- Develop operational-level grievance mechanisms that have a conflict sensitive approach.
- Commit to active engagement with local communities and groups in conflict and post-conflict settings.
- Ensure that a gender-responsive approach is used to develop heightened human rights due diligence and in grievance, remedy and transitional justice mechanisms.
- Actively participate in truth and reconciliation processes and provide reparations and guarantees of non-repetition as part of their commitment to building peace.
- Source: https://undocs.org/en/A/75/212
- UN: July 2020 report of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on business and conflict.
- It outlines measures that States and business enterprises should take to prevent and address business-related human rights abuse in conflict and post-conflict contexts, focusing on heightened human rights due diligence and access to remedy. It also covers "responsible exit" from conflict-affected regions.
- UNDP:
Gender Dimensions of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: report of the Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises (conflict-related issues highlighted on page 16 and 53)
Guide for heightened Human Rights Due Diligence for Business in conflict-affected contexts (16 June)
- ILO restated position on Russia/Ukraine (13 June 2022) / ILO Report on the application of the resolution concerning the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine (3 June 2022) / ILO perspective on conflict in Ukraine (22 March 2022)
- Business & Human Rights Resource Centre:
- B4Ukraine:
- Chatham House Expert Comment "Geopolitical corporate responsibility can drive change" (26 July 2022)
- Dun & Bradstreet Special Report Russia-Ukraine Crisis
- ECCJ - Due Diligence in Armed Conflict - 29 June 2022
- UNGC :
- Human Rights Watch:
- ICRC Human Rights Due Diligence in Conflict-Affected Settings: Guidance for extractive industries, ICRC guide which includes an ICRC-created, conflict-specific HRIA tool called the Conflict and Human Rights Impact Assessment (CHRIA) tool
- IHRB: Commentary on sanctions, boycots and divestments (28 March)
- Business and international humanitarian law - ICRC
- Shift: Human Rights Due Diligence in high-risk circumstances (2015)
- Business Fights Poverty Action Toolkit: A Guide to Effective Planning
Designed as part of our COVID-19 Response, this guide is specifically tailored to assist with navigating planning during crises; when traditional corporate planning processes may take too long or require too many certainties. It is authored by Major Nick Barton DFC, an Army Officer serving with the Army Air Corps.
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Business Fights Poverty Action Toolkit: Supporting NGO Partners
This Action Toolkit provides guidance on what businesses can do immediately and in the longer term to support their NGO partners who play a critical role in supporting the most vulnerable people during crises. Written in the context of COVID-19, it contains a list of actions and resources that are relevant today.
- Procure4Peace: The Bridge between Ukraine and the procurement community
- House of Commons Library in the UK: summary of UK, US, European and global sanctions against Russia - 11th March 2022.
- Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance and the International Committee of the Red Cross:
- BSR Rapid Human Rights Due Diligence - tool
- Stronger Together - Practical Guide for Supporting Workers affected by the War in Ukraine - May 2022
Resources for managing labour exploitation and human trafficking risks:
EU Measures:
- EU Sanctions Package timeline - see here
- EU - Ukraine solidarity lanes - keeping Ukranian goods moving
- European Cluster Collaboration Platform: The Forum has been created to enhance the ability of European industry to contribute to the delivery of humanitarian aid for Ukraine and to support Ukrainian refugees in Member State countries. In this Forum you can share information, register your offers of assistance, propose collaborations and request assistance in order to facilitate procurement and delivery of urgent humanitarian requirements. These include food, hygiene products, medicines; as well as personal equipment to ensure survivability in war and refugee conditions, including shelters, clothing, bedding and accommodation.
- EU FAQ on circumvention and due diligence - 5 April 2022
Statements - external organisations:
