Joint press release in support of the UN norms on the responsibilities of transnational corporations and other business enterprises

amnesty international (German Section), Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst, Friends of the Earth Germany (BUND), FIAN Germany, Germanwatch, Misereor, World Economy, Ecology & Development (WEED), World University Service (German Committee)

Geneva, 26 March 2004: On August 13, 2003, the UN Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights approved the "Norms on the Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with regard to Human Rights" ("UN Norms") in its resolution 2003/16. The Norms represent a landmark step providing a succinct, but comprehensive restatement of the international legal principles applicable to business with regard to human rights, humanitarian law, international labor law, environmental law, consumer law and anti-corruption law.

The Norms do not create any new legal obligations, but simply restate and distil existing obligations under international law as they apply to companies. They cover a broad range of issues, including the rights of workers, a safe and healthy work environment and the right to collective bargaining; a balanced approach to intellectual property rights and responsibilities; transparency and avoidance of corruption; respect for the right to health as well as other economic, social, and cultural rights; civil and political rights, such as the freedom of movement; consumer protection; and environmental protection.

The UN Norms do not circumvent or undermine the responsibilities of governments. In fact, they state at the outset that "States have the primary responsibility to respect, ensure respect for, prevent abuses of, and promote human rights recognized in international as well as national law." Nor do the Norms attempt to impose responsibilities on businesses which are not appropriate to them. Instead they clearly state that companies have only responsibilities "within their respective spheres of activity and influence."

At the Johannesburg Summit 2002, Governments clearly committed themselves to "actively promote corporate responsibility and accountability, based on Rio Principles, including through the full development and effective implementation of intergovernmental agreements and measures [...]."(Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, para. 49). The new UN Norms would provide an important instrument to fulfill this commitment.

Therefore, we call on the Commission for Human Rights at its 60th session (15 March - 23 April 2004)

to support the UN Norms on the Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with Regard to Human Rights, including by welcoming their adoption by the UN Sub-Commission;
to ensure the dissemination of the UN Norms to governments, UN bodies, specialised agencies, companies, trade unions, non-governmental organisations and other interested parties;
to initiate, in close co-operation with other relevant UN bodies, a process leading to an effective follow-up mechanism in order to actively promote and implement the UN-Norms.

We call on Governments

to support the UN Norms at the 60th session of the Human Rights Commission and in other relevant fora of the UN system;
to ensure the dissemination of the UN Norms at national level to companies, trade unions, non-governmental organisations and other interested parties;

We call on Transnational Corporations and other business enterprises

to apply the UN Norms within their sphere of activity and influence, including in contracts and other dealings with contractors, sub-contractors and any other associates.

We call on NGOs, trade unions and citizen's groups,

to support the UN Norms in their monitoring, campaigning and lobbying activities. An important first step has been made by the representatives of civil society who signed the "Statement of Support for the UN Human Rights Norms for Business".
to support the further dissemination and implementation of the UN Norms.

Contact:

In Geneva: Nils Rosemann, World University Service, +41 – (0)76 – 4796112
Elisabeth Strohscheidt, Misereor, +49-(0)241-442577
Cornelia Heydenreich, Germanwatch, +49-(0)30-2888 3564
Jens Martens, WEED, +49–(0)228-7661312

Further information:

last updated on 26 March 2004