FOCUS OF NORMATIVE DRAWING ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UN GUIDING PRINCIPLES ON BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS: SELF-ANALYSIS USING THE DANISH INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CHECKLIST

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15407/econlaw.2025.02.024

Keywords:

normative drafting, European Union, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, Danish Institute for Human Rights, legislation, civil society, international treaty, declaration, convention, directive

Abstract

The article aims to provide an assessment of Ukraine's readiness for integration into international unions of democratic states, with a determination of the prospects for continuing regulatory development in Ukraine. For more than two decades, Ukraine has been seeking EU membership. But to do so, it must first demonstrate its conscientious adherence to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The Danish Institute for Human Rights has developed a five-question checklist for states to self-assess their membership in influential economic and political organizations. The analysis conducted in the article showed that the state of compliance with economic and other human rights in the legal system of Ukraine by the majority of central and local executive bodies and local self-government, and business entities allows us to answer all five questions positively. Thus, the Constitution and many regulatory acts take into account the provisions of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of December 16, 1966, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Ukrainian business entities adhere to the principles of the OECD and ILO declarations. When drafting regulations, the provisions of EU directives and regulations are taken into account. It is shown that Ukraine supports the UN Guiding Principles, in particular in paragraph 16 of the National Strategy in the Field of Human Rights, approved by the Decree of the President of Ukraine of March 24, 2021. The UN Guiding Principles are popularized in Ukraine by posting them on the official website of the Ombudsman of Ukraine, websites of executive authorities, public organizations, educational institutions, and research institutions. Also, scientific activities are being carried out in Ukraine aimed at finding ways to better comply with the UN Guiding Principles, faster entry into the OECD and the EU; training is being carried out for state and local officials, business representatives on the subject of compliance with economic human rights. It is indicated that despite the difficult situation, Ukraine is constantly “working on mistakes”, that is, restoring human rights violated by the state or business. It is concluded that the next regulatory drafting towards the development of new economic legislation in Ukraine should be carried out through compliance with the requirements of the UN Guiding Principles, general and sectoral principles of the OECD, international conventions on the protection of economic rights, EU directives and regulations.

Author Biographies

Volodymyr USTYMENKO, State Organization «V. Mamutov Institute of Economic and Legal Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine»

corresponding Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine,

corresponding Member of the National Academy of Legal Sciences of Ukraine,

Honored Lawyer of Ukraine, Dr. Sc. (Law), professor,

director of the State Organization «V. Mamutov Institute of Economic and Legal Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine»

Bogdan DEREVYANKO, State Organization «V. Mamutov Institute of Economic and Legal Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine»

Dr. Sc. (Law), professor, Leading Researcher

Department of economic and legal research on economic security problems,

State Organization “V. Mamutov Institute of Economic

and Legal Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine”

References

Horina H.O. Harmonizatsiia natsionalnoho zakonodavstva u sferi turyzmu iz zakonodavstvom Yevropeiskoho Soiuzu [Gorina G.O. Harmonization of national legislation in the sphere of tourism with the law of European Union]. Ekonomika i suspilstvo. 2018. Vyp. 18. S. 49–54. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32782/2524-0072/2018-19-8 [in Ukrainian].

Doroshenko, L.M. (2025). Otsinochni poniattia «rozumna obachnist» ta «standartna dilova praktyka» v korporatyvnomu pravi [Doroshenko L.M. The Concepts of «Reasonable Care» and «Standard Business Practice» in Corporate Law]. Pravnychyi chasopys Donetskoho natsionalnoho universytetu imeni Vasylia Stusa. (Sich. 2025), 82-93. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31558/2786-5835.2024.2.9 [in Ukrainian].

Andrii Zakharchenko, Bogdan Derevyanko. On the implementation of OECD guidelines for corporate governance of state-owned enterprises in the legislation of Ukraine. Economic and Law Paradigm of Modern Society. 2020. Issue 1. P. 63–72. URL: https://repository.ndippp.gov.ua/handle/765432198/253

Kolomiiets P. Problematyka vdoskonalennia poniatiinoho aparatu v chastyni adaptatsii podatkovoho zakonodavstva Ukrainy do standartiv YeS [Kolomiiets P. The issue of improving the conceptual apparatus in the adaptation of tax laws of Ukraine to EU standards]. Publichne pravo. 2016. № 3 (23). S. 140–147. [in Ukrainian].

Ryndiuk V.I., Kuchynska O.Iu. Yurydyko-tekhnichni aspekty adaptatsii zakonodavstva Ukrainy do zakonodavstva Yevropeiskoho Soiuzu [Ryndiuk V., Kuchynska O. Legal-technical aspects of the adaptation of the legislation of Ukraine to the legislation of the European Union]. Naukovyi visnyk Lvivskoho derzhavnoho universytetu vnutrishnikh sprav. 2024. № 1. S. 177–183. DOI https://doi.org/10.32782/2311-8040/2024-1-22 [in Ukrainian].

Kuchynska O.Iu. Adaptatsiia zakonodavstva Ukrainy do zakonodavstva Yevropeiskoho Soiuzu: teoretychnyi ta tekhniko-yurydychnyi aspekty [Kuchynska O.Y. Adaptation of the legislation of Ukraine to the legislation of the European Union: theoretical and technical-legal aspect]: dys. ... dokt. filos.: 081. Kyiv, 2024. 195 s. [in Ukrainian].

Pashkov V.M. Pravove zabezpechennia implementatsii zakonodavstva YeS shchodo obihu likarskykh zasobiv [Pashkov V.M. Legal Regulation of the Implementation of the EU Legislation in the Field of Medicines Circulation]. Medychne pravo. 2016. № 2 (18). S. 55–62. [in Ukrainian].

Plotnikova M.V., Rudenko L.D., Shvaher O.A. Yevropeiski standarty zakhystu prav spozhyvachiv finansovykh posluh [Plotnikova M.V., Rudenko L.D., Shvaher O.A. European standards for the protection of financial services consumers]: monohr. Sumy: Sumskyi derzhavnyi universytet, 2023. 329 s. [in Ukrainian].

Plotnikova M.V. Vymohy do reklamy finansovykh posluh yak skladova zakhystu prav spozhyvachiv finansovykh posluh u YeS [Plotnikova M.V. Requirements for advertising of financial services as a component of protecting the rights of consumers of financial services in the EU]. Pravove rehuliuvannia finansovykh posluh: natsionalnyi, yevropeiskyi, hlobalizatsiinyi vymiry: materialy naukovo-praktychnoho kruhloho stolu, m. Sumy, 26 sichnia 2024 r. Sumy: Sumskyi derzhavnyi universytet, 2024. S. 51–55. [in Ukrainian].

Popovych T.H. Zmina pravovykh zasad u sferi tekhnichnoho rehuliuvannia v Ukraini vidpovidno do vymoh YeS [Popovich T. G. Changes in legal bases of technical regulation in Ukraine according to EU requirements]. Pryvatne pravo i pidpryiemnytstvo. 2016. Vyp. 16. S. 141–144. [in Ukrainian].

Popovych T.H. Hospodarska diialnist v umovakh dii Uhody pro asotsiatsiiu Ukrainy z YeS [Popovich T. Economic activity in conditions of the association agreement with the EU Ukraine]. Pryvatne pravo i pidpryiemnytstvo. 2017. Vyp. 17. S. 152–156. [in Ukrainian].

V.I. Teremetskyi, O.B. Bodnar-Petrovska, I.Y. Dir, A.A. Petrenko, and T.V. Lien, "European Union’s legal system: Essential features and tendencies of modern development," Science of Law, vol. 2025, no. 1, pp. 1-6, 2025. https://doi.org/10.55284/sol.v2025i1.160

Myronova, G., Batryn, O., Teremetskyi, V., Milevska, A., & Meniv, L. (2023). Institution of Patient’s Advance Directives in the Context of Ukraine’s Aspirations for European Integration: Institución de instrucciones anticipadas del paciente en el contexto de las aspiraciones de Ucrania para la integración europea. Political Questions, 41(79), 228-243. Retrieved from https://produccioncientificaluz.org/index.php/cuestiones/article/view/41016

Ustymenko, Volodymyr (2024). Sotsialnyi vymir stiikosti: natsionalni pidkhody ta polityka YES (porivnialno-pravove doslidzhennia) [The Social Dimension of Resilience: National Approaches and EU Policy (a Comparative Legal Study)]. Demohrafiia ta sotsialna ekonomika – Demography and Social Economy, 4 (58), 79–94. https://doi.org/10.15407/dse2024.04.079 [in Ukrainian].

Ustymenko V.A. Adaptatsiia natsionalnoho zakonodavstva do pra va Yevropeiskoho Soiuzu: osnovy, kryterii, vymiry stiikosti [Ustymenko V. Adaptation of national legislation to European Union law: foundations, criteria, dimensions of sustainability]: monohrafiia. Volodymyr Ustymenko; NAN Ukrainy, DU «IEPD imeni V.K. Mamutova NAN Ukrainy». Kyiv: Akademperiodyka, 2025. 452 s. [in Ukrainian].

Persha osnova Kerivnykh pryntsypiv OON – oboviazok derzhavy zakhyshchaty prava liudyny [The first pillar of the UN Guiding Principles is the state’s duty to protect human rights]: Elektronnyi portal HO «Biznes. Prava liudyny», HO «Tsentr Sotsialna diia». URL: https://www.bhr.org.ua [in Ukrainian].

UN Doc. A/HRC/17/31, Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Implementing the United Nations ‘Protect, Respect and Remedy’ Framework, 21 March 2011, unanimously endorsed by the United Nations Human Rights Council on 16 June 2011. URL: https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Issues/Business/A-HRC-17-31_AEV.pdf

Zahalna deklaratsiia prav liudyny OON vid 10 hrudnia 1948 roku [UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights of December 10, 1948]. Ofitsiinyi portal Verkhovnoi Rady Ukrainy. URL: http://zakon3.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/995_015 [in Ukrainian].

Mizhnarodnyi pakt pro ekonomichni, sotsialni i kulturni prava: rishennia Heneralnoi Asamblei OON vid 16 hrudnia 1966 roku [International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: Resolution of the UN General Assembly of 16 December 1966]. Ofitsiinyi portal Verkhovnoi Rady Ukrainy. URL: http://zakon2.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/995_042 [in Ukrainian].

Mizhnarodnyi pakt pro hromadianski y politychni prava: rishennia Heneralnoi Asamblei OON vid 16 hrudnia 1966 roku [International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Resolution of the UN General Assembly of 16 December 1966]. Ofitsiinyi portal Verkhovnoi Rady Ukrainy. URL: http://zakon2.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/995_043 [in Ukrainian].

OECD/FAO (2016), OECD-FAO Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains, OECD Publishing, Paris. http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/9789264251052-en

OECD (2017), Responsible business conduct for institutional investors: Key considerations for due diligence under the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. URL: https://mneguidelines.oecd.org/RBC-for-Institutional-Investors.pdf

OECD (2017), OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement in the Extractive Sector, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264252462-en

OECD (2018), OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct. URL: https://mneguidelines.oecd.org/OECD-Due-Diligence-Guidance-for-Responsible-Business-Conduct.pdf

OECD (2018), OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264290587-en

Pro ratyfikatsiiu Uhody mizh Kabinetom Ministriv Ukrainy ta Orhanizatsiieiu ekonomichnoho spivrobitnytstva ta rozvytku shchodo pryvileiv, imunitetiv ta pilh, nadanykh Orhanizatsii [On the ratification of the Agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development on the privileges, immunities and facilities granted to the Organization]: Zakon Ukrainy vid 7 lypnia 1999 roku № 850-XIV. Vidomosti Verkhovnoi Rady Ukrainy. 1999. № 35. St. 301. [in Ukrainian].

Pro podannia na ratyfikatsiiu Verkhovnoiu Radoiu Ukrainy Uhody (u formi obminu lystamy) mizh Uriadom Ukrainy ta Orhanizatsiieiu ekonomichnoho spivrobitnytstva ta rozvytku shchodo pryiednannia do Deklaratsii pro mizhnarodni investytsii i bahatonatsionalni pidpryiemstva, vidpovidnykh Rekomendatsii ta protsedurnykh Rishen Rady Orhanizatsii ekonomichnoho spivrobitnytstva ta rozvytku [On submission for ratification by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the Agreement (in the form of an exchange of letters) between the Government of Ukraine and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development on accession to the Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises, relevant Recommendations and Procedural Decisions of the Council of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development]: Rozporiadzhennia Kabinetu Ministriv Ukrainy vid 25 chervnia 2020 roku № 757-r. Ofitsiinyi portal Verkhovnoi Rady Ukrainy. URL: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/757-2020-%D1%80#Text [in Ukrainian].

Pro utvorennia mizhvidomchoi robochoi hrupy shchodo zabezpechennia funktsionuvannia Natsionalnoho kontaktnoho punktu z pytan spryiannia nadanniu rekomendatsii (kerivnykh pryntsypiv) dlia bahatonatsionalnykh pidpryiemstv u ramkakh Deklaratsii Orhanizatsii ekonomichnoho spivrobitnytstva ta rozvytku (OESR) pro mizhnarodne investuvannia ta bahatonatsionalni pidpryiemstva [On the establishment of an interdepartmental working group to ensure the functioning of the National Contact Point on issues of facilitating the provision of recommendations (guiding principles) for multinational enterprises within the framework of the Declaration of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises]: nakaz Ministerstva ekonomichnoho rozvytku i torhivli Ukrainy vid 28 liutoho 2018 roku № 283. Ofitsiinyi portal Verkhovnoi Rady Ukrainy. URL: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/rada/show/v0283731-18#Text [in Ukrainian].

Uhoda mizh Uriadom Ukrainy i Orhanizatsiieiu ekonomichnoho spivrobitnytstva ta rozvytku pro vidnovlennia dii MEMORANDUMU PRO VZAIeMOROZUMINNIa mizh Uriadom Ukrainy i Orhanizatsiieiu ekonomichnoho spivrobitnytstva ta rozvytku shchodo pohlyblennia spivrobitnytstva [Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development on the renewal of the MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING between the Government of Ukraine and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development on Deepening Cooperation]. Ofitsiinyi portal Verkhovnoi Rady Ukrainy. URL: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/966_001-21#Text [in Ukrainian].

Uhoda mizh Uriadom Ukrainy ta Orhanizatsiieiu ekonomichnoho spivrobitnytstva ta rozvytku shchodo pryvileiv, imunitetiv i pilh, nadanykh orhanizatsii ta ofisu orhanizatsii v Ukraini [Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development on the Privileges, Immunities and Facilities Granted to the Organization and to the Organization's Office in Ukraine]. Ofitsiinyi portal Verkhovnoi Rady Ukrainy. URL: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/966_001-22#Text [in Ukrainian].

Deklaratsiia MOP osnovnykh pryntsypiv ta prav u sviti pratsi: ukhvalena Mizhnarodnoiu konferentsiieiu pratsi na yii visimdesiat shostii sesii v Zhenevi, 18 chervnia 1998 roku [ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work: adopted by the International Labour Conference at its Eighty-sixth Session, Geneva, 18 June 1998]. Ofitsiinyi portal Verkhovnoi Rady Ukrainy. URL: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/993_260#Text [in Ukrainian].

Directive (EU) 2024/1760 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 on corporate sustainability due diligence and amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937 and Regulation (EU) 2023/2859 (Text with EEA relevance). URL: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2024/1760/oj

Pro Natsionalnu stratehiiu u sferi prav liudyny [About the National Human Rights Strategy]: Ukaz Prezydenta Ukrainy vid 24 bereznia 2021 roku № 119/2021. Ofitsiinyi portal Verkhovnoi Rady Ukrainy. URL: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/119/2021#Text [in Ukrainian].

Published

2025-07-12

How to Cite

USTYMENKO, V., & DEREVYANKO, B. (2025). FOCUS OF NORMATIVE DRAWING ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE UN GUIDING PRINCIPLES ON BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS: SELF-ANALYSIS USING THE DANISH INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS CHECKLIST. Economics and Law, 77(2), 24–33. https://doi.org/10.15407/econlaw.2025.02.024