OECD Watch is advancing recognition of Indigenous Peoples rights in responsible business conduct – and opening doors to direct engagement at the OECD by Indigenous People.
We track complaints involving harms to Indigenous Peoples and engage whenever needed to highlight the particular rights and risks that arise. We have also worked with Indigenous partners to develop detailed guidance on the NCP complaint process for Indigenous communities.
We successfully secured stronger reflection of Indigenous Peoples’ rights in the 2023 update of the OECD Guidelines, including through organising direct consultation between global Indigenous leaders and OECD governments. We continue to open doors to such dialogue and are pushing for a dedicated platform for direct engagement. We helped ensure focus on Indigenous rights in the OECD’s guidance on the just transition. We also continue to call for clearer standards on stakeholder engagement, including with Indigenous Peoples among other marginalised groups.
The texts and dialogue process we supported during the 2023 revision of the Guidelines have helped us promote similar texts and processes in other rulemaking at national, regional, and multilateral levels. We will continue to push for wider focus on Indigenous Peoples rights in responsible business conduct.
The OECD Guidelines refer to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and recognise the need for companies to take account of the distinct and intersecting risks faced by Indigenous Peoples. Companies should:
Want to learn more about OECD Watch’s work on this issue? Get in touch with us to find out more about our advocacy and resources, or to discuss how the OECD Guidelines can support your work. Reach out directly.
Get a practical overview of what the OECD Guidelines say about Indigenous Peoples’ rights. Available in:
English
OECD Watch has worked closely with Indigenous partners to help develop a guide to help Indigenous Peoples understand the NCP complaint system and use it effectively.
Explore complaints where Indigenous Peoples’ rights were raised as an issue filed by civil society.
The OECD Guidelines provide civil society with a framework for engaging companies, governments and other decision-makers on responsible business conduct. You can use the Guidelines to:
Help communities and other affected people understand the standards companies are expected to meet and the rights and protections they can demand.
Use the Guidelines to talk to companies about their impacts and demand that they prevent, address and remedy harm.
Use the Guidelines to advocate for strong laws, policies and corporate practices that protect people and the planet and hold companies accountable.
When a company falls below the standards in the Guidelines, you can bring a complaint to an NCP and seek accountability and remedy.
How companies should use a gender lens to identify and address the distinct impacts of their activities on women and LGBTQI+ people.
How companies can respect human rights, prevent harm and provide or contribute to remedy when harms occur.
How companies should respect human rights defenders and prevent and remedy reprisals against those who speak out.
How companies should prevent harm to people’s land, housing and tenure rights and respect legitimate land rights.
How meaningful engagement can ensure affected people have a voice in decisions that impact them.
How companies should respect workers’ rights across their operations and value chains, including freedom of association and collective bargaining.
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