HRAS publishes new legal research paper on Business and Human Rights, 6 December 2018

Human Rights at Sea publishes its latest legal research paper on maritime business and human rights...titled ‘A UN Convention on Business and Human Rights. How it would look like for the maritime sector: legal and practical implications‘...

Research Paper on a UN Convention on Business and Human Rights...

...The old conception of the state being the only actor able to violate fundamental human rights not only is outdated, but it does not respond to the realities of the 21st century. In that sense, the relevance of...the UN Guiding Principles can be considered one of the most significant contributions of the century to the protection of universal human rights.

...Today, the reality is that the international community is closer than ever to achieve the consensus to adopt a legally binding UN Convention on Business and Human Rights. Nonetheless, some obstacles are still in place. ...To the Maritime industry, a UN convention on Business and Human rights...will not only push the fishing and shipbreaking sector towards greater fairness but also it will ensure the proper labour conditions for fishermen and protection to the maritime environment.

To summarise, the fact that the international community is closer to widening the scope of international law directly applicable to corporations will bring setbacks and impediments, but it is an endless opportunity to bring into the table the problems and difficulties of the people, those of who the law should protect.