8 August 2003
[presented by Mr. Hyder Khan]
Chairperson,
Respect for human rights is vital to the eradication of poverty and suffering. In a world where too many have too little to eat, no access to water or sanitation, no schooling, no security of tenure, no protection of their freedom to express themselves nor influence the way they are governed, no respect for their rights as workers and no protection against violence, it is clear that much more needs to be done to ensure this respect. Oxfam is confident that the Draft Norms on Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises with Regard to Human Rights are a much-needed contribution towards achieving this because it recognizes the crucial role that business plays in this challenge. For this reason, we support their adoption by the Sub-commission.
Oxfam believes that companies should conduct all aspects of their business in a manner that advances rather than hinders human development. Meeting this expectation involves the company accepting responsibility for its operations, assessing that impact and responding by mitigating negative effects and initiating positive ones. By stating that business enterprises are bound to respect human rights and by articulating how they can do so, the Norms invaluably affirm this expectation.
For the first time, citizens, companies, governments and civil society have a comprehensive guide as to exactly how a company’s policies and practices interact with all human rights – be they civil, cultural, economic, political or social. We believe that this will play a critical role in allowing each of these actors to foresee and prevent wrongdoing, identify breaches of human rights and their perpetrators, and to seek access to justice and remediation where they do occur. We hoe that this will encourage governments, both at a national and international level, to develop a regulatory regime particular to the activities of companies in relation to their impact upon human rights.
We have appreciated the consultative and transparent process by which these Norms have been drafted and thank the Working Group and the Sub-Commission for their perseverance and commitment to it. It has meant that the Norms reflect as far as possible, a holistic approach towards human rights, capturing the fundamental concepts of universality and indivisibility., the needs of different members of society and the practicalities of applying a human rights regime to business operations.
Oxfam has worked over many years with people living in poverty in poverty in over 70 countries. Our work is based upon our beliefs that in a world rich in resources, poverty is an injus ice which must be overcome and that working together, we can build a just and safer world in which people can enjoy their human rights and overcome their poverty. Our advocacy with all actors, including those in the private sector, has consistently reflected these beliefs. We hope that our values and experience encourage the Sub-Commission to give serious consideration to our support for the Draft Norms.