Transnational Corporations and Human Rights

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
21st Session
September 2012

[Excerpt from the statement]

We were surprised by the content of the Secretary-General’s report on business and human rights. The report praises voluntary codes of conduct for transnational corporations (TNCs) such as the Global Compact and the Ruggie Guidelines. There is no reference to the fundamental legal instruments of international human rights such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Charter or the two International Covenants on Human Rights. Thus, with this report, the Secretary General is in a way enshrining the replacement of the mandatory rules of international law relating to fundamental human rights by voluntary guidelines. Should this be interpreted as a resignation on the part of the United Nations system with regard to the legal framework for the activities of TNCs? And this despite the urgent need?

Read the CETIM’s oral statement in French

Watch the video subtitled in English