[Panel discussion] Business and human rights in times of Russia’s war against Ukraine: Rethinking corporate accountability

More than 3 years have passed since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and it has been 10 years since the annexation of Crimea. To date, Russia’s capacity to sustain the armed conflict is largely maintained through the exporting of fossil fuels and international trade.

Hence, Russia’s invasion also created unprecedented scrutiny on the roles and responsibilities of businesses in the conflict. This is the backdrop for a panel discussion critically exploring how the Russian war on Ukraine has transformed the BHR landscape, which is co-organised by the Asser Institute and the Jean Monnet Center of Excellence on Corporate Sustainability and Human Rights of Wageningen University.

The discussion will focus on how wartime circumstances have influenced corporate human rights practices and what 'responsible business conduct'' means during (and after) Russia’s invasion. Thus, we will touch upon the issue of corporate complicity of companies operating in or with ties to Russia. Should businesses that continue operations or maintain supply chains in Russia be seen as indirectly sponsoring war? Conversely, what are the risks and responsibilities of exit or disengagement?

As Ukraine will hopefully move toward eventual recovery, there is as well the need to envisage the role of businesses in this process, as the private sector is expected to play a key role in post-war reconstruction. This involvement will need to be grounded in international human rights standards, conflict-sensitive practices, and forward-looking policies, which are set to shape Ukraine’s long-term development path. Moreover, questions will also be raised on the role of businesses from a transitional justice mechanisms point of view, including with regard to accountability, reparations, etc.

The event will explore 3 key themes, including: 

• The application of the UNGPs, heightened due diligence, and responsible business conduct in conflict settings
• Legal and moral questions of corporate complicity and the risks of maintaining or exiting operations in a complex environment (aggressor state).
• The role of businesses in transitional justice and post-war reconstruction, and integrating BHR into Ukraine’s recovery

By drawing on both academic insights and real-world experiences, the event seeks to identify challenges, best practices, and normative developments relevant to corporate accountability during and after conflict. The event will be followed by a small reception.

Speakers:

1. Olena Uvarova (Head of the International Lab on BHR at Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University, Researcher at the Law Group, Wageningen University, BHR Specialist at UNDP).
2. Ella Skybenko (Eastern Europe/Central Asia Senior Researcher & Representative at Business & Human Rights Resource Centre).
3. Waleed Mahmoud (FWO Doctoral Fellow at Ghent University & Visiting Researcher at T.M.C. Asser Institute)
4. Further speakers to be confirmed

Moderator:
Dmytro Cherneha (Research intern at T.M.C. Asser Insituut)

This event is co-organised with the Jean Monnet Center of Excellence on Corporate Sustainability and Human Rights (Wageningen University)