Recommendations to reduce the risk of human rights violations and improve access to justice

Business activities are central to the well-being of national economies and the global economy at large.This paper examines the function of states in regulating the role of transnational corporations and other businesses. It recommends actions to protect people from human rights violations committed by enterprises. 

The paper expresses concern that there is still a lack of national and international safeguards to prevent business enterprises from becoming complicit in or tacitly benefiting from human rights violations. The case studies discussed demonstrate the need for a range of actions by various actors at multiple levels to tackle the complex issue of protection and promotion of human rights. The document emphasises that multi-stakeholder initiatives and voluntary company actions can play a role in raising standards of corporate responsibility and accountability.

Recommendations include that:

• at the international level, an international advisory system, an independent ombudsperson and initiatives around Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC are recommended
• company social responsibility initiatives should be promoted and developed
• states should promote and ensure the respect of human rights recognised in international law
• a legal requirement should be introduced on company directors to take action to minimise the negative environmental and social impacts of the company
• a binding, international human rights framework should be developed and established.