From Chip Pitts, Former Board Chair of AIUSA
Globalization brings many new risks, including exploitation, terrorism and disease. Yet it also offers Amnesty International many opportunities to promote human rights -including better corporate accountability via stronger international legal norms.
Historically, the impact of business on human rights has been hidden. But today’s enhanced scrutiny – from global markets, stock exchanges, lenders, unions, consumers, NGOs and media – offers a chance to temper the unparalleled growth of global business power.
Most businesses make positive social contributions. But others directly or indirectly violate human rights: criminal organizations trafficking in women and children, sweatshops exploiting vulnerable workers, oil, gas and mining industries perpetuating conflict or turning a blind eye to abuses. In implicating civilian contractors from CACI International and Titan Corporation, the Army’s reports on Abu Ghraib reminded us that it is even possible for private corporations to become involved in torture and war crimes.
AIUSA’s Business and Human Rights Program is at the forefront of mobilizing activists on these issues. We have created the new Corporate Action Network, which campaigns on important corporate accountability issues such as stopping the trade in conflict diamonds and using shareholder power to press companies to respect human rights. Amnesty International’s November report on the Bhopal disaster, Clouds of Injustice, broke new ground, particularly by highlighting the relationship between environmental destruction and human rights abuse.
Numerous issues warrant our attention. Trade and investment law must take more effective account of human rights, so that development projects elevate standards instead of diminishing them. We also advocate protecting and strengthening existing methods of redress, like the Alien Tort Claims Act, and embracing new initiatives, like the U.N. Norms regarding business and human rights.
| "In implicating civilian contractors from CACI International and Titan Corporation, the Army’s reports on Abu Ghraib reminded us that it is even possible for private corporations to become involved in torture and war crimes." |
At press time, the U.N. Commission on Human Rights was considering the U.N. Norms – the result of years of consultation with businesses, unions, governments and experts. They are the most comprehensive and accessible statement of international legal standards on businesses (against torture, slavery, war crimes and genocide) and best practices (such as consulting with indigenous people before taking actions that affect them). Unfortunately, powerful governments, including the U.S. government, oppose them.
But this opposition is largely due to a calculated misinformation campaign by some business groups. Companies that have joined the Business Leaders’ Initiative for Human Rights, under the leadership of former High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson, are ‘road testing’ how the Norms apply in practice. These businesses recognize the pragmatic value of such norms in leveling the playing field and managing the reputation, legal, financial and other risks associated with violations.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights puts duties on "every individual and every organ of society" (including businesses) to achieve human rights. Despite the relative decline in national sovereignty, nation-states retain primary responsibility for human rights. But with the increased power of business comes enhanced responsibility of businesses within their spheres of activity and influence.
We need activists -especially businesspeople- to help with this work. E-mail AIUSA's Business and Human Rights Program at CorpAction@aiusa.org to volunteer.
Related links:
Take Action: Advance Corporate Accountability for Human Rights
Get Involved: Business and Human Rights Program
