UN experts urge Mexican authorities and businesses to adequately engage with communities affected by development projects

Concluding a ten-day official mission to Mexico, a United Nations expert group has called on the country's authorities and business sector to ensure adequate consultation with individuals and communities affected by development projects and business operations.

“The consultations should take place at the earliest stage of any development project and should be free, informed and in full compliance with international standards,” said the head of the UN Working Group on business and human rights, Pavel Sulyandziga, in a news release issued today by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

“Prevention of harm or negative impact to people, especially the most vulnerable, should not be seen as a burden but as an opportunity to strengthen competitiveness and sustainable development,” said Dante Pesce, a member of the Working Group delegation.

Additionally, Mr. Sulyandziga stressed that in a multicultural country like Mexico, indigenous people need to be included in the dialogue.

In the release, the experts also said that the ongoing process in the country to develop a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights offered an opportunity to translate political commitments into action.

Noting that it was encouraging to see the Government's commitment to advance the business and human rights agenda, Mr. Pesce stressed: “This will require further effort to change practices and mind-sets and to more fully entrench a culture of transparency, integrity, and democratic values in the country.”

“The Government must lead by example,” he added.

According to the release, the UN rights experts also underlined that human rights defenders and journalists must be better protected in Mexico.

“In the face of attacks and intimidation against people who speak up for their rights or for the rights of others, Government officials at the highest level and business CEOs must take a clear stance that such behaviour is simply unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” said Mr. Sulyandziga.

The Working Group will present its final report containing its findings and recommendations to the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council in June 2017. Independent experts or special rapporteurs are appointed by the Council to examine and report back on a country situation or a specific human rights theme. The positions are honorary and the experts are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.