29.11.2020

The initiators of the Responsible Business Initiative are pleased about the majority of the popular vote of 50.7%, but disappointed that the majority of the cantons could not be obtained. Today, the corporate lobby has prevailed, unfortunately also thanks to false allegations.

23.06.2020

The European Coalition for Corporate Justice regrets the latest parliamentary developments in Switzerland and note with surprise that Swiss parliament adopted regulation that has been officially acknowledged as not being fit for purpose by the European Commission in recent months.

04.06.2020

A conciliation committee recommended a fig leaf proposal for approval by parliament. Multinationals such as Glencore or Syngenta would not be held responsible for damages they cause, they could simply publish a yearly report on glossy paper.

26.05.2020

A survey conducted between 5 and 12 May 2020 shows: Today, 78% of eligible voters would vote in favour of the Responsible Business Initiative. This means that the approval rate remains constant compared to the results of February 2020.

16.03.2020

Investigations have revealed that Glencore has caused an environmental disaster in Chad: Chemicals from the petroleum production are poisoning a river. This causes large burn blisters on the skin of both children and adults and livestock perishes.

04.03.2020

The National Council leaves the door open for a political compromise. The ball is back in the court of the Council of States

04.02.2020

In Yavatmal in central India, about 800 agricultural labourers were severely poisoned within a few weeks when they applied pesticides to cotton fields.

17.01.2020

On January 16th 2020, Switzerland's National Action Plan (NAP) 2020-2023 on the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights was adopted. A detailed analysis of this NAP can be found here.

14.06.2018

The National Council decided today to accept the counter-proposal to the Responsible Business Initiative.

20.04.2018

In the frame of the revision of the Swiss Corporation Law, the Legal Affairs Committee of the National Council proposes legal measures against human rights violations and non-compliance with international environmental standards by corporations based in Switzerland.

14.11.2017

The Legal Affairs Committee (“the Committee”) of the Swiss Parliament’s Council of States has acknowledges that human rights violations perpetrated by Swiss based multinational companies are of great concern.

15.09.2017

On 15. September 2017, the Federal Council issued its official message on the Swiss Responsible Business Initiative.

22.12.2016

Following the adoption of Switzerland’s National Action Plan on Business an Human Rights on December 9th 2016, the Swiss Coalition for Corporate Justice has published its analysis and comments.

09.12.2016

Over 5 years after the adoption of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, Switzerland finally published its implementation strategy. Although the National Action Plan (NAP)[1] recognizes the challenges at hand, only six new measures are foreseen.

15.11.2016

The Swiss President, Johann Schneider-Ammann, took part at this year’s UN Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva as a keynote speaker.

10.10.2016

The Swiss Responsible Business Initiative will be presented to the Swiss authorities today. The 80 civil society organizations supporting the initiative share one common goal: Swiss quality must incorporate the protection of human rights and the environment.

16.06.2016

The international community adopted the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) in June 2011, pledging to address the adverse impacts of business activities. Five years later, progress has been minimal, writes Jerome Chaplier.

18.05.2016

NGOs welcome support of European Parliamentarians for duty of care legislation of EU corporations towards people affected by their activities

14.04.2016

Less than a year after its launch, the Swiss Responsible Business Initiative has gathered the required number of signatures.

21.04.2015

Swiss companies that threaten human rights and the environment through their economic activities abroad must take responsibility. This is the message with which a broad coalition launches the Responsible Business Initiative today in Bern.

13.03.2015

Swiss parliament motion for mandatory human rights due diligence narrowly turned down.