An overview of the international frameworks on business and human rights
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Date
2017
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Published by Faculty of Law, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria
Abstract
Business and human rights began to emerge on the globe due to the increase in transnational corporations and the impact of their activities on or TNCs have been found to either violate human rights directly or indirectly and existing international instruments are inadequate to hold businesses accountable. However, the attention of the organisations like the United Nations was drawn to this anomaly, and international standards began to evolve. These standards emphasize for the first time that apart from States, businesses can also be responsible and held accountable for human rights violations. Against this background, this paper identifies existing frameworks including regional frameworks relating to business and human rights. It examines emerging standards on the subject. The method adopted in this paper is doctrinal and it reveals that the standards for States and businesses are voluntary guidelines and are not legally binding on them. It recommends that States make efforts to develop policies reflecting these standards to prevent violation of human rights. It concludes that if states do not take necessary steps to ensure that businesses respect and fulfill human rights in the process of carrying out their activities, abuse of human rights will increase.
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Keywords
Business, human rights, United Nations, TNCs
Citation
Igbayiloye, O.B. (2017). An overview of the international frameworks on business and human rights. Ebonyi State University Law Journal, 8 (2), 208-221, Published by Faculty of Law, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria