Accountability for Human Rights: Applying Business and Human Rights Instruments to Non-Governmental Organizations

Abstract

Often seen as selfless champions of human rights, non-governmental organizations are vulnerable to attacks from unscrupulous states, which makes NGO regulation and accountability for human rights a sensitive issue. Yet, like all organizations, NGOs can have negative human rights impacts. States and international organizations have developed business and human rights (BHR) instruments that apply to corporations but there is no equivalent for NGOs. This article assesses the extent to which BHR standards may be relevant to enhance NGO accountability for human rights. It argues that these instruments, although not designed with NGOs in mind, are relevant to their operations and provide an attractive and moderate avenue to enhance NGO accountability. Ultimately, it shows that applying BHR instruments to NGOs could strengthen these instruments.