Cairo, Egypt – The Maat Foundation for Peace, Development and Human Rights has released a new report entitled “Business and Human Rights in North Africa: How to Turn Pledges into Actions.” The report assesses the state of the business sector and its commitment to respecting human rights in six North African countries: Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, and Mauritania.
Business environment and human rights assessment
The report highlights both positive developments and existing challenges in the region’s business environment, based on six key factors, including:
The legal and regulatory framework for business, promotion of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and adoption of national action plans. This includes responsible business conduct, the activities of OECD national focal points, and non-judicial remedies mechanisms.
The report explained that a number of North African countries and their companies, including multinational corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), have adopted human rights due diligence procedures. Most countries have also committed to developing national action plans in this area. However, it stressed that voluntary pledges are no longer sufficient, emphasizing the need to translate them into practical and binding practices on the ground.
Guidelines are not an end in themselves
The report noted that publishing the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights is not an end goal, but rather a crucial step toward implementing the 31 internationally adopted principles within the framework of the United Nations. These principles aim to protect individuals’ rights from violations related to business activities.
Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia are at the forefront of positive developments.
The report concluded that Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia are among the countries that have witnessed encouraging developments in promoting human rights respect by the business sector. These countries have also created attractive legal and regulatory frameworks for investment. Furthermore, positive steps have been taken towards developing national action plans for business and human rights, in line with the UN framework and the Sustainable Development Agenda.
Recommendations for governments and companies
The report recommended that North African governments consider adopting independent national action plans on business and human rights, with the participation of civil society and the business sector in their development, and improving relevant national legislation. It also recommended their active participation in ongoing international negotiations on a legally binding instrument on business and human rights. Furthermore, it called for incentives and preferential treatment for companies that implement standards of responsible business conduct in their operations.
