Federal Departement of Foreign Affairs FDFA

Directorate of Political Affairs DPHuman Security Division (HSD)

Frédéric ChenaisHuman Rights and commodities

Federal Departement of Foreign Affairs

Human Security Division HSD

Trading Forum, 18 March 2014

Federal Departement of Foreign Affairs FDFA

Directorate of Political Affairs DPHuman Security Division (HSD)

Switzerland, business and human rights

• Switzerland is home country to some of the most important multinational commodity and energy companies in the world

• They have a responsability to respect human rights and the environnment

• Switzerland has to make sure that companies accept this responsability

Federal Departement of Foreign Affairs FDFA

Directorate of Political Affairs DPHuman Security Division (HSD)

The Background Report: Commodities

• Publication of the Background Report: Commodities

• Current activities within the different department

• Opportunities and challenges related to the trading industry in Switzerland

• 17 recomendations to reinforce the opportunities and answer to the challenges

Federal Departement of Foreign Affairs FDFA

Directorate of Political Affairs DPHuman Security Division (HSD)

Voluntary and participative

• The Federal Council favors voluntary initiatives and standards

• Those should be developed in a participatory approach involving all stakeholder

Federal Departement of Foreign Affairs FDFA

Directorate of Political Affairs DPHuman Security Division (HSD)

Switzerland supports…• UN Guiding principle of Business and Human Rights

• Voluntary principles on security and human rights

• International Code of Conduct for Private Security

Service Providers

• EITI Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative

• OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply

Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk

Areas

Federal Departement of Foreign Affairs FDFA

Directorate of Political Affairs DPHuman Security Division (HSD)

Thank you for your attention