The evening’s topic – Switzerland’s responsibility in the commodities trade – will remain among the most pressing human rights issues in Switzerland in the coming years. One reason is the popular initiative launched by the Responsible Business Initiative coalition. In addition, the European Union recently adopted a directive on corporate due diligence. In line with its role as a platform for dialogue, the SHRI brought together key stakeholders from transnational corporations, civil society, and the public sector.

Laura Knöpfel, Head of Research and Consulting unit at the SHRI, welcomed the panellists and the audience on behalf of the Institution. She explained that the event was part of a long-term priority topic that the Institution has committed to: Outsourcing of the responsibility for human rights, with the topic of business and human rights playing a central role within this framework.

Around 80 people attended the event. The panel was moderated by Antonio Hautle, Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein and a member of the SHRI Committee. Panellists included Anina Dalbert, Business and Human Rights Jurist at the civil society organisation Public Eye; Frédéric Chenais, senior advisor in the Business and Human Rights team at the Human Rights Division of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA); and Elmira Imani, Group responsible sourcing Manager at Glencore. The discussion centred on two key questions: whether current legislation on corporate responsibility is sufficient and how Switzerland can effectively protect human rights in the global economy.

The SHRI will continue to follow this debate and will offer a platform for discussion on this and other urgent human rights issues in the future.