Big Business: An Ally for Human Rights?

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The phrase “corporate social responsibility” has not prevented labor issues, environmental concerns and displacement of indigenous peoples, to name a few abuses.

In recent years there’s been a growing discussion for corporations to respect all human rights. There’s a clear need to establish a standard for all companies to follow. That’s where proposed guidelines called “Protect, Respect and Remedy” come in.

Will these new guidelines transform big business into an ally for human rights?

This framework, released in November, was drawn up by Harvard Professor John Ruggie, the UN special representative for business and human rights. Many businesses and governments are reportedly on board with the guidelines, but some rights groups objected, saying the framework doesn’t go far enough.

Rights groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch criticized the guidelines because they don’t require companies to respect human rights by law.

The guidelines encourage companies to take a voluntary approach to human rights. Which begs the question: without the rule of law to force businesses to comply, what incentive do they have to follow the framework?

The fact that we’re talking about business and human rights at the corporate and governmental level is a good start. But that’s only one part of the conversation.

It’s easy to blame capitalism and demonize “big, bad business”—however, as shareholders, and as customers of retail companies and services, it’s also up to the consumer to be informed and aware of what’s behind their purchases.

Can we do more to help advance human rights and business?

Learn more

Read the “Protect, Respect and Remedy’’ Framework (Business & Human Rights Resource Centre)

John Ruggie’s response to criticism from rights groups

Listen to an interview with John Ruggie from BBC Business Daily