INTERNATIONAL CO-ORDINATING
COMMITTEE OF NATIONAL
INSTITUTIONS FOR THE PROMOTION
AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN
RIGHTS (ICC)
The Edinburgh Declaration
1. The Tenth International Conference of the International Coordinating
Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of
Human Rights was devoted to the role of national human rights
institutions (NHRIs) in addressing Business and Human Rights. The
Conference took place in Edinburgh, Scotland between October 8 –10,
2010 and was hosted by the Scottish Human Rights Commission
(SHRC), in cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights (OHCHR) and the International Coordinating Committee
(ICC) of NHRIs. Participants thanked the SHRC, OHCHR, the Scottish
Parliament and the Scottish and UK Governments for their support and
dedication to the organisation of the Conference
2. NHRIs expressed their gratitude to SHRC for the excellent organisation
and warm hospitality they had enjoyed. They welcomed the statements
of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Special
Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Business and Human
Rights, the former High Commissioner of Human Rights and other
keynote speakers as well as the interactive and productive discussions
which reflected the experience and perspectives of NHRIs from all of
the regions. Business representatives, Government representatives’
academia and non-governmental organizations from around the world
made a valuable contribution at a pre-conference Forum and the
International Conference itself which informed the deliberations The
Conference was also enriched by the participation of the AdvocateGeneral for Scotland, UK Government and by the Justice Secretary,
Scottish Government.
3. The Tenth International Conference adopted the following Declaration:The Tenth International Conference of NHRIs,
4. Recalling the inherent dignity, equal and inalienable rights of all human
beings, the need for universal and effective recognition of human rights
and fundamental freedoms, and to promote social progress and better
standards of life in larger freedom, as expressed in the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights;
5. Recalling the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and
interrelatedness of all human rights;
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