abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Article

1 Jan 2012

Author:
Kathryn Dovey, Institute for Human Rights and Business

Smart Mix [Interview with Mary Robinson]

The starting point for any conversation and the most important development is that there is now a global standard. The UN “Protect, Respect and Remedy” Framework and the Guiding Principles set the baseline for conversations about corporate responsibility for human rights...[L]awyers are well-placed to stress how the corporate responsibility to respect human rights, when fully implemented, very much goes to the heart of how businesses function in practice...[T]here is not enough awareness in law schools and business schools of this debate and the fact that we now have a global standard on business and human rights...[I]t is important that corporate lawyers are aware that the responsibility to respect human rights is not simply a ‘do no harm’ principle but that it requires due diligence from the business and a proactive approach...[L]aw firms themselves are corporate entities and need to make sure they are respecting human rights in their operations...A challenge still exists for small and mediumsized companies in developing countries in terms of making the Guiding Principles practical for them.[refers to Yahoo!, Google, Microsoft]