VIDEO: How the Tech Sector Should Address Human Rights

Authors

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  Dunstan Allison-Hope

  Senior Advisor, BSR

  

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  Dunstan Allison-Hope

  Senior Advisor, BSR

  

  San Francisco

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  Dunstan leads BSR’s work at the intersection of technology and human rights.

  Previously, Dunstan led BSR’s information and communications technology, heavy manufacturing, and human rights teams.

  He brings significant experience working on a diverse range of engagements and issues, including human rights due diligence, privacy and freedom of expression, sustainability reporting and strategy, and stakeholder engagement.

  Dunstan facilitated the multistakeholder process of developing global principles on freedom of expression and privacy, which led to the launch of the Global Network Initiative in October 2008. He also helped create the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition, a collaborative initiative of more than 100 ICT companies improving conditions in their supply chains. Dunstan participated in the process of creating the Global Reporting Initiative G3 guidelines, and he is a regular commentator on issues of corporate accountability, reporting, and human rights. He also co-authored the 2010 book Big Business, Big Responsibilities.

  Prior to joining BSR in 2004, Dunstan was part of British Telecommunications' corporate responsibility team.

  Dunstan has an M.Prof. in Sustainable Development from Forum for the Future.

  Close

Last month, the United Nations Human Rights Council approved new Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. As a result, more clarity exists today than ever before on governments' duty to protect human rights and business' responsibility to respect human rights.

BSR is exploring how information and communications technology (ICT) companies can apply the Guiding Principles, and have proposed four priorities:

1. Engage with users
2. Undertake due diligence on business relationships
3. Understand opportunities for leverage
4. Increase comparability in human rights reporting

These four priorities are described further in my video blog below, my previous written blog, and the "Version 1.0" report. We'll be updating this report based on your feedback on what it's like implementing the Guidelines in your company. So have a read, and let us know what you think.