The United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights will make its first official visit to the Republic of Liberia from 31 October to 11 November 2022 to assess efforts to address the potential adverse human rights impacts of business activities.
The experts conducting the visit, Chairperson Fernanda Hopenhaym and Damilola Olawuyi, will look at current efforts and initiatives of the Liberian Government and businesses to meet human rights obligations and responsibilities under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
"The invitation to visit shows the Government's willingness to strengthen efforts to promote business respect for human rights and corporate accountability, including through the development of regulatory and policy frameworks on business and human rights," said Hopenhaym.
Indigenous peoples and human rights defenders, who are at heightened risk of business-related human rights abuses, particularly in the mining and agribusiness sectors, would be a particular focus, she said.
The Working Group will engage with various Government ministries and agencies, and meet with a range of civil society actors, human rights defenders, community members and trade unions, as well as representatives of academia, business enterprises and business associations. The experts will hold meetings in Monrovia, and other locations, including in Nimba County, Bong County and Bomi County.
They will hold a press conference to present preliminary observations from their visit at 11.30am on Friday 11 November 2022 in the conference room of One UN House, 1 & 2 Streets Tubman Boulevard, Sinkor, Monrovia, Liberia.
Findings from the country visit and recommendations will be included in an official report to be presented to the Human Rights Council in June 2023.
