Zeid calls on business leaders to stand up for human rights
Davos: Zeid calls on business leaders to stand up for human rights
GENEVA (13 January 2017) –
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al
Hussein today called on business leaders gathering at the
World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos next week
to use their considerable influence to stand up for human
rights and prevent rights violations in countries where they
operate.
“We begin the year full of anxiety about the state of the world: the deeply disturbing increase in divisive behaviour and policies, and outright hatred; the attacks against fundamental human rights, particularly of those already vulnerable; and the continued widespread failure to ensure fair access to resources, prosperity and economic security for all,” High Commissioner Zeid said.
“The hard-won laws and principles of the Universal
Declaration for Human Rights are increasingly imperiled, and
the business leaders gathering in Davos next week have a key
role to play to stem this terrible tide and to insist upon
respect for human rights in the States where they
operate.”
Responsible business relies on stability –
sound institutions, the smooth functioning of justice,
sustainable development and public confidence in their
personal safety, Zeid said, stressing that human rights lie
at the core of such long-term stability.
“Companies need to take a clear, unequivocal stance that they will not tolerate links to human rights abuses anywhere in their operations and supply chains – and to have systems in place to ensure such abuses are actively prevented and promptly addressed. Many companies have already begun taking steps to prevent and mitigate human rights abuses in their operations in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, including by setting up ways for people to safely lodge complaints,” Zeid said.
“Many companies have also taken action to defend and promote human rights. We have seen banks withdrawing funding for projects where human rights violations have occurred, for example.”
“Business actors can be powerful advocates
for human rights – for the empowerment of women, for equal
rights regardless of race, nationality or sexual
orientation, for the rights of all to adequate housing, to
an adequate standard of living, to education, healthcare and
more.”
Zeid commended the steps taken by some leading
companies to take a stand against media outlets peddling
hate speech and xenophobic content and called on others to
show similar leadership and to join in the fight for the
global values that are currently under threat.
Zeid also
welcomed the increasing participation by large multinational
corporations in the annual UN Forum on Business and Human Rights
and the growing implementation of the UN Guiding Principles
on Business and Human Rights. He called on the gathering at
Davos to reinforce these principles and for business leaders
to pledge to stand up for the human rights of all, to the
detriment of
none.
ENDS