All Articles About Human Rights

BSR Insight Article: What’s Next for Business and Human Rights

By Christine Bader, Human Rights Advisor, BSR

At a recent workshop I convened at Duke University’s Kenan Institute for Ethics (where I’m a non-resident senior fellow), experts from the UN Working Group on business and human rights, corporations, NGOs, investors, and academia discussed what lies ahead for business: * While the focus for the last six years was on developing shared expectations (in the form of the UN Guiding Principles), now a very different set of skills and coalitions are needed to implement those expectations—for example, to emphasize outreach to the global South and capacity-building for companies, governments, and NGOs. * The debate has thus far largely focused on extractives and manufacturing, which historically have presented the greatest immediate threats to human rights. Technology and finance are among the sectors that should feature more prominently going forward. * Multistakeholder dialogue is critical because no single party can solve these challenges alone. Research, collaboration, and dialogue—much like this workshop—must be sustained. _For more information about how BSR helps companies implement the Guiding Principles, including through a new Human Rights Working Group, contact Faris Natour._ Read more →

Posted: March 27, 2012 | Topics: Human Rights

BSR Insight Article: Europe’s CSR Public Policies on the Rise

CSR policies in Europe are growing, according to the second working paper to come out of the Impact Project, a multistakeholder initiative that aims to measure the impacts of CSR in Europe. The “Analysis of the National and EU Policies Supporting Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact” paper suggests a burgeoning relationship between CSR and government policies. The paper cites an increase in the number of policies designed to engage business in addressing international issues including human rights, climate change and sustainable development. Other examples of the spike in CSR: * Endorsement through rhetoric * Subsidies and tax incentives * Collaboration with business and civil society organizations * New accounting and reporting standards The authors did not find much evidence of interest in assessment and indicators of CSR performance; they noted it was unclear whether this reflects a general view that government should not micromanage CSR, or a view that governments have a greater interest in the symbolic power of policy. Read more →

Posted: March 27, 2012 | Topics: Human Rights, Stakeholder Relations

BSR Insight Article: U.S. Supreme Court Weighs Corporate Liability and Human Rights

Peter Nestor, Manager, Advisory Services

The U.S. Supreme Court last week heard oral arguments in _Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Shell_, a case involving the question of corporate liability for human rights abuses. Justices focused on whether international law requires global companies to be held liable in U.S. courts. A decision is expected in June. Still, the long-term solution to accountability likely does not lie in providing legal remedies. Instead, according to Christine Bader, BSR’s human rights advisor, companies must adopt proactive human rights policies and systems that prevent abuses from occurring in the first place. Several companies already have committed to respecting human rights in this fashion; many of them now are working to implement solutions in operating environments globally. These solutions are difficult and complex, but this is precisely where long-term change will occur. Long after the Supreme Court weighs in, companies with robust human rights approaches will continue to have a positive impact in the communities where they operate. Read more →

Posted: March 6, 2012 | Topics: Human Rights

Blog: Learning the Right Lessons From the Apple Story

Aron Cramer, President and CEO

A decade ago, Apple made a splash with its “Think Different” advertising campaign. Today, with Apple in the headlines concerning labor conditions in its supply chain, it’s time for all of us to think different about how to improve the lives of the millions of workers making the products that drive our global economy. While it’s tempting to point to particular companies as the core of the problem, the reality—and the solutions—are much broader and much more complex. Read more →

Posted: February 24, 2012 | Topics: Consumer Products, Human Rights, Leadership, Supply Chain

BSR Insight Article: CSR in Saudi Arabia: Q&A With BSR Partner Nailah Attar

Cammie Erickson, Manager, Global Partnership Development

With support from a multiyear grant from the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, BSR has worked to introduce CSR strategies to companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Through this initiative, we partnered with Nailah Attar, a Saudi Arabian businesswoman and activist, to expand the CSR offerings of her ECO Consulting business, which serves both Saudi and international companies operating in the country. Read more →

Posted: February 10, 2012 | Topics: Economic Development, Governance & Accountability, Human Rights