Are Human Rights Relevant for private corporations?
It is a fact that the International Bill of Human Rights primarily targets governments. In 2008 the UN firmly established that states have a duty to protect against human rights violations from corporations. In addition, the UN established that corporations have a direct responsibility to respect all human rights. The UN adopted framework establishes that all rights are of direct importance to corporate behaviour no matter where the corporation operates.
The Business Leaders Initiative on Human Rights (BLIHR) translated the International Bill of Human Rights into a business context describing a set of essential steps for corporate behaviour in relation to all human rights.
Sune Skadegaard Thorsen, Senior Partner in GLOBAL CSR, functioned as expert advisor to BLIHR (2003 – 2009) and continues as expert advisor to the two initiatives which emerged from BLIHR; the Global Business Initiative on Human Rights and the Institute for Business and Human Rights. In addition, GLOBAL CSR was awarded the task of creating the first draft of the Essential Steps and has extensive knowledge of making human rights operational in a business context.
Questions and Answers on CSR:
- What is CSR?
- What is an international Principles-Based Approach to CSR?
- What is the link between Human Rights and CSR?
- What is the Triple Bottom Line?
- What is CSR Compliance & Opportunities?
- Does CSR have the potential to create sustainable development?
- Is CSR also relevant for governments?
- Is CSR also relevant for SMEs?
- Is CSR only relevant in relation to corporations operating in or sourcing from emerging economies?
- Are Human Rights relevant for private corporations?
- Is there a business case for CSR?
- How can corporations perform Responsible Supply Chain Management?
- What are the implications of the Danish government’s “Action Plan for Corporate Social Responsibility” for Danish corporations?
- How can GLOBAL CSR assist in relation to CSR?