In action
A selection of activities, events, and engagements contributing to the advancement of responsible business conduct and human rights across the Arab States
2026 | HRDD Exchange Group Q&A: Heightened Human Rights Due Diligence in the Middle East Crisis
BHRMENA contributed to a Q&A session with the HRDD Exchange Group, convened with focusright ltd and the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland & Liechtenstein, on responsible business conduct in the context of the ongoing Middle East crisis.
The session focused on what heightened human rights due diligence means in practice: being prepared before risks escalate, establishing clear responsibilities and information channels, communicating effectively with workers, and making timely decisions to prevent risks from translating into harm.
BHRMENA highlighted the importance of looking beyond policies and Tier 1 suppliers, engaging those most exposed where safe and feasible, and reassessing risks continuously as the situation evolves.
2026 | AIM-Progress Workshop: Addressing Human Rights Risks in Times of Conflict | GCC
BHRMENA collaborated with AIM-Progress to deliver a dedicated workshop for its Working Group members on addressing human rights risks in times of conflict across the GCC and wider West Asia region. The session examined how escalating conflict and instability can affect workers, communities, supply chains and business continuity, with particular attention to migrant and subcontracted workers who may face heightened risks.
The workshop explored practical approaches to heightened human rights due diligence, including risks related to wage delays, income insecurity, forced labour indicators, passport retention, restricted mobility, worker abandonment, communication gaps and access to grievance mechanisms. It also supported participants in connecting immediate crisis response with longer-term human rights due diligence priorities.
The session brought together discussions on living wage, forced labour and grievance mechanisms into one integrated framework, helping companies assess whether their current systems are fit for purpose in fast-moving and high-risk contexts.
2026 | Forum Swedish Business Council in the UAE - Sustainability Network Session
BHRMENA contributed to an online session on human rights hosted by the Swedish Business Council in the UAE for its Sustainability Network. The discussion explored responsible and sustainable business practices, with a focus on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the OECD Guidelines, and ILO Standards as key frameworks for companies seeking to strengthen their human rights approach.
2025 | UN Forum on Business & Human Rights | Navigating Crises by Strengthening Business and Human Rigths in the Middle East and North Africa
BHRMENA co-organised the session “Navigating Crises in MENA” at the 2025 UN Forum on Business and Human Rights.
The session explored how businesses operating in or connected to the MENA region can respond to crisis, conflict, and instability through a responsible business and human rights lens, with a focus on practical approaches to risk management, human rights due diligence, and protection of affected workers and communities.
2025 | Workshop UN Global Compact Saudi Arabia | Creating Shared Value: Building Social Infrastructure for Sustainable Growth
BHRMENA contributed to a hybrid workshop on Social Infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, co-organised by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Global Compact Network Saudi Arabia.
The discussion explored how robust social infrastructure can support sustainable and inclusive growth across the Kingdom by strengthening people-centred systems, reducing risks, and supporting responsible business practice. The workshop brought together global and regional partners, including Deloitte Italy, IOM, and ILO Qatar.
2025 | Workshop Arab Leagues | Business & Human Rights in the States
Krystel Bassil participated in the Arab League workshop on business and human rights, contributing to discussions on advancing responsible business conduct and strengthening the implementation of business and human rights standards across the region.
The workshop provided a platform to exchange regional perspectives, explore practical challenges, and identify opportunities to support more effective human rights due diligence in the Arab States.
Sincere thanks to the League of Arab States, the Moroccan Government, the Interministerial Delegation for Human Rights, UNDP Morocco, and all partners who made this important exchange possible.
2025 | Podcast | Navigating Business & Human Rights in the Middle east: Key Insights from Krystel Bassil
In this podcast conversation hosted by Aleksandra Lasota, Krystel Bassil discussed the geopolitical shifts shaping labour reforms across the region, with a focus on Qatar’s reforms to the Kafala system and similar developments in countries such as Saudi Arabia.
The discussion highlighted that while legal reforms are advancing, implementation challenges remain, including unpaid wages, late payments, informal work, and weak grievance mechanisms. Krystel also reflected on the role of business in supporting more effective labour practices and responsible business conduct across the MENA region.
2024 | Business, Human Rights, ESG and Sustainable Business Practices
As part of “A Closer Look”, a discussion series hosted by the KAS Rule of Law Programme Middle East and North Africa, Krystel Bassil joined Prof. Damilola S. Olawuyi, SAN, FCIArb.
The discussion explored what business and human rights means in practice, how it connects with ESG and sustainable business practices, and how companies across the region can contribute to sustainable development. The session was moderated by Philipp Bremer.
2023 | UN Forum on Business & Human Rights | Progress and Opportunities to Strengthen Business and Human Rights in the Middle East and North Africa Region
Krystel Bassil spoke on the MENA panel during the 2023 UN Annual Forum on Business and Human Rights, contributing a private sector perspective to the discussion on progress and opportunities to strengthen business and human rights across the region.
2022 | Roundtable on Business and Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid in Syria
Our Senior Consultant, Krystel Bassil, conducted a roundtable on Business and Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid in Syria, during her time working with the the Syrian Legal Development Programme.
The discussion explored the practical steps aid organisations can take to prevent and address business-related human rights risks in Syria, with a particular focus on procurement practices, emerging challenges, and lessons from practice.
