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USCIB has advanced this message in a number of key meetings. In November, Ronnie Goldberg, USCIB’s senior vice president for policy and program, participated in a panel discussion at Business for Social Responsibility’s annual conference in New York. Speaking with other panelists from Amnesty International and the Novartis Foundation, Ms. Goldberg said business welcomed the efforts of the UN Commission on Human Rights in establishing an open and constructive dialogue with the global business community.
“We hope that this dialogue will help to clarify the current legal questions, and provide an objective assessment of the opportunities and limitations of business efforts to promote respect for human rights,” she said.
USCIB also worked with the International Organisation of Employers, its Geneva-based affiliate that represents business in the International Labor Organization, to organize an October consultation with the UN Commission. That session brought business representatives from all regions of the world to Geneva to provide direct input to the forthcoming UN report. Industry representatives strongly emphasized the need for better implementation and enforcement of human rights laws by governments.
In contrast, many human rights organizations and other interest groups continue to press for the creation of a global human rights code of conduct for multinational companies. The focus of their attention is on a draft code produced by an independent advisory body to the UN Commission on Human Rights. The UN Commission rejected the so-called draft “norms” in April, stating that the draft had not been requested, had no legal standing, and that advisory group was not to undertake any monitoring under the draft code.
In USCIB’s view, the draft code is fundamentally flawed. In a September statement to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour, USCIB said the draft “norms” have already created serious confusion about the legal obligations of companies regarding human rights. The statement said the code would shift obligations under international law from governments to companies, transform “aspirational” goals – such as a right to adequate housing – into immediate requirements and create conflicting requirements for companies.
Staff contact: Adam Greene
USCIB submission to the High Commissioner for Human Rights
More on USCIB’s Corporate Responsibility Committee
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