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"Additional initiatives" [2005] ELECD 246; in Tully, Stephen (ed), "International Documents on Corporate Responsibility" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2005)

Book Title: International Documents on Corporate Responsibility

Editor(s): Tully, Stephen

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781843768197

Section: Chapter 23

Section Title: Additional initiatives

Number of pages: 5

Extract:

23. Additional initiatives

i. UN: Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, 1993


Commentary: The principal outcomes of the World Conference on Human
Rights (UN Doc A/CONF.157/24 (Part I), 1993) apply to business and industry as
`groups', `organs of society', `institutions', `non-governmental organisations', actors
within `the development field' or `private' sphere and `members of the international
community'. Paragraphs of relevance include the right to development, illicitly dump-
ing toxic or dangerous substances (paragraph 11), racism (15), sexual harassment,
exploiting or trafficking in women (18 & 38), and economically or sexually exploiting
children including child pornography, child prostitution and the sale of organs (21 &
48). Additionally noteworthy is respecting the exercise of minority rights in private
(paragraph 19) and eliminating violence against women in their private life (38). The
Declaration and Programme of Action recognises the important contributions of
NGOs in promoting and implementing human rights (paragraphs 38 & 52) including
the media (39). Governments with NGO assistance should promote increased human
rights awareness and mutual tolerance (paragraph 82). Finally, governments are urged
to `incorporate standards as contained in international human rights instruments in
domestic legislation and to strengthen national structures, institutions and organs of
society which play a role in promoting and safeguarding human rights' (paragraph 83).




ii. UN: Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and
Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights
and Fundamental Freedoms, 1999


Commentary: UNGA Resolution 53/144 (1999) marks the fiftieth anniversary of
the UDHR. For the ...