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See also the following sections of this website:

• UN Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights
• United Nations Global Compact
• International standards & guidelines: United Nations, ILO & OECD
• Legal accountability: General

United Nations reports:

current materials:

latest text of United Nations "Draft Norms on Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations & Other Business Enterprises with Regard to Human Rights" [Apr. 2003 text, to be considered by UN Sub-Commission July-Aug. 2003] (Working Group on the Working Methods and Activities of Transnational Corporations, U.N. Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, Apr. 2003)

• Commentary for the Draft Norms on the Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations & Other Business Enterprises with Regard to Human Rights [April 2003 text, to be considered July-August 2003]

• {···français} Projet des Normes sur les Responsabilités des sociétés transnationales et autres entreprises commerciales en matière de droits de l'homme [avril 2003, pour discussion en juillet/août 2003] (Groupe de Travail sur les Méthodes de Travail et les Activités des Sociétés Transnationales, Sous-commission de la promotion et de la protection des droits de l'homme, Nations Unies, avril 2003)

Report of the sessional working group on the working methods and activities of transnational corporations on its fourth session [includes as annex the latest official text of United Nations "Draft norms on Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with Regard to Human Rights"] (U.N. Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, 15 Aug. 2002)

previous materials:

• Draft Fundamental Human Rights Principles for Business Enterprises (Draft for Discussion November 2001) (Professor David Weissbrodt, United Nations Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, 18 Nov. 2001)

• e-mail UN Sub-Commission member David Weissbrodt with comments on the draft text

• U.N. Sub-Commission resolution 2001/3: The effects of the working methods and activities of transnational corporations on the enjoyment of human rights [extending for 3 years the mandate of the Working Group on transnational corporations] (United Nations Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, 15 Aug. 2001)

• Draft Universal Human Rights Guidelines for Companies, Introduction (May 2001)

• Draft Universal Human Rights Guidelines for Companies, Addendum 1 [text of the draft guidelines] (May 2001)

• Draft Universal Human Rights Guidelines for Companies, Addendum 2 [text of the draft guidelines, and the principal materials that served as the basis for the draft guidelines] (May 2001)

• Draft Universal Human Rights Guidelines for Companies, Addendum 3: Report of the Seminar to Discuss U.N. Human Rights Guidelines for Companies (Geneva, 29 - 31 March 2001)

Other materials:

2003:

latest text of United Nations "Draft Norms on Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations & Other Business Enterprises with Regard to Human Rights" [Apr. 2003 text, to be considered by UN Sub-Commission July-Aug. 2003] (Working Group on the Working Methods and Activities of Transnational Corporations, U.N. Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, Apr. 2003)

• Commentary for the Draft Norms on the Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations & Other Business Enterprises with Regard to Human Rights [April 2003 text, to be considered July-August 2003]

• {···français} Projet des Normes sur les Responsabilités des sociétés transnationales et autres entreprises commerciales en matière de droits de l'homme [avril 2003, pour discussion en juillet/août 2003] (Groupe de Travail sur les Méthodes de Travail et les Activités des Sociétés Transnationales, Sous-commission de la promotion et de la protection des droits de l'homme, Nations Unies, avril 2003)

First ever Human Rights Checklist for Business launched - As US firms and others line up for the post-war fruits of Iraq reconstruction contracts, Amnesty International launches today (7 April) the first ever human rights checklist for companies. The new booklet summarises existing international law, treaties and codes on human rights relevant to business, and will help those in the bidding for contracts in Iraq ensure they do not become guilty of human rights abuses during the critical rebuilding period. The six-page Amnesty International publication, The Human Rights Responsibilities of Companies, is a quick and easy guide to implementing human rights policies. (Amnesty International UK, 7 Apr. 2003)

• full report: The human rights responsibilities of companies - New draft UN Norms provide guidelines for business [scroll down to bottom of page to download] (Amnesty International UK, March 2003)

"Human Rights and Corporate Accountability" (speech by Mary Robinson, Director of the Ethical Globalization Initiative, former U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, at The Fund for Peace - Human Rights and Business Roundtable, 19 Feb. 2003)

Business and Human Rights: Towards legal accountability - Properly understood, international law in this area would complement - not replace - enforcement at national level. International human rights standards would provide a benchmark against which national legal systems could be assessed....the UN, governments and companies should support the work of the UN Sub-Commission (the expert body referred to above) to agree draft Norms on the Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations. This text ought to be agreed in the near future...Amnesty International believes that the United Nations needs to put in place a mechanism that would allow for public scrutiny of companies' human rights performance. (David Petrasek, Senior Director of Policy, Amnesty International, speech delivered to "Public Eye on Davos" conference, 23 Jan. 2003)

2002:

Defining Global Business Principles: Towards a new role for investors in promoting international corporate responsibility [refers to human rights, labour issues, environmental issues; includes sections entitled "Globalisation and coporate responsibility", "Global ethical principles", "The Global Business Principles Project"]  (Dr. Craig Mackenzie, Head of Investor Responsibility, Insight Investment, Nov. 2002)

"How can publics become more engaged in ensuring corporate citizenship?" [includes reference to the shortcomings of voluntarism, and to the U.N. Sub-Commission "Draft norms on Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations & Other Business Enterprises with Regard to Human Rights"] (Sir Geoffrey Chandler, speech at Wilton Park Conference, 21 Nov. 2002)

Report of the sessional working group on the working methods and activities of transnational corporations on its fourth session [includes as annex the latest official text of United Nations "Draft norms on Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with Regard to Human Rights"] (U.N. Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, 15 Aug. 2002)

Latest text of draft United Nations "Responsibilities of Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with Regard to Human Rights" [this latest text was agreed by the Working Group on Transnational Corporations (of the U.N. Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights) at its July-Aug. 2002 meeting; the draft will be discussed again at the next session of the Working Group/Sub-Commission in July-Aug. 2003] (Working Group on Transnational Corporations, U.N. Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, Aug. 2002)

• [U.N.] Sub-Commission adopts measures on economic, social and cultural rights; prevention of discrimination; other issues - In a resolution (E/CN.4/Sub.2/2002/L.17)...adopted without a vote [on 14 Aug. 2002], the Sub-Commission requested that the draft norms on responsibilities of transnational corporations and other business enterprises with regard to human rights be widely circulated; recommended that the relevant working group and the Sub-Commission continue efforts to explore possible mechanisms for implementing the draft norms, such as the use of the norms as a basis for determining the purchase of goods and services from and the partnerships developed with transnational corporations, and the establishment of a group of experts, a special rapporteur or a working group to receive information and undertake effective measures with regard to human rights violations or abuses committed by transnational corporations and other enterprises; and invited members of the working group and in particular the authors of the commentary on the norms on responsibilities to continue working on the commentary so that it might serve as a reference for the practical implementation and further development of the draft norms. (United Nations, 14 Aug. 2002)

Oral statement [by Amnesty International, to the U.N. Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights] on the working methods and activities of transnational corporations - Amnesty International takes the floor today to unequivocally support the process of developing the "Human Rights Principles and Responsibilities for Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises" (Amnesty International, 1 Aug. 2002)

Statement by Human Rights Watch to the United Nations Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights’ Working Group on the Working Methods and Activities of Transnational Corporations -...many companies still argue that they do not bear any responsibility for human rights in the places where they trade, invest, and operate. In this context, Human Rights Watch sees the development of the "Human Rights Principles and Responsibilities for Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises" by the Working Group as a very important step in addressing complicity of multinational enterprises in human rights violations. (Human Rights Watch, 1 Aug. 2002)

Statement by the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights to the United Nations Sub-Commission on the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights - Working Group on the Working Methods and Activities of Transnational Corporations -...The Lawyers Committee strongly endorses the draft Responsibilities [draft document specifying the Responsibilities of TNCs and Other Business Enterprises with regard to Human Rights] (Lawyers Committee for Human Rights, 1 Aug. 2002)

Statement by Mary Robinson, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to the opening of the 54th session of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights - [section of statement entitled] "Business and human rights" - I know the Sub-Commission and its Working Group on the working methods and activities of transnational corporations has worked hard to finalize what are provisionally called the 'Human Rights Principles and Responsibilities for Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises'. I think that the Sub-Commission can make a significant contribution to the framework for understanding the human rights responsibilities of corporations and I wish you well for the successful completion of this important set of principles. (Mary Robinson, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, 29 July 2002)

IBLF [Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum] Statement of support for UN Draft Human Rights Principles and Responsibilities for Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises [submitted to the United Nations Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights’ Working Group on the Working Methods and Activities of Transnational Corporations] - We wholeheartedly welcome the Draft Human Rights Principles and Responsibilities for Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises...The Draft Principles are the most authoritative and comprehensive set of guidelines to date which make the UDHR [Universal Declaration of Human Rights] applicable to companies...The Draft Principles are complementary to the UN Global Compact and could very usefully build upon the human rights components of that initiative. (Frances House, Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum, 24 July 2002)

Transnational Corporations And Human Rights - Written statement submitted by International League for Human Rights [refers to Tibet & China: Australian-owned Sino Mining International, BP, ENI/Agip, PetroChina, Shell, Exxon/Mobil; Burma: Unocal] (International League for Human Rights, document for U.N. Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, 3 July 2002)

All Party Parliamentary Group on Corporate Social Responsibility [UK] - 1 July 2002 - Submission by Sir Geoffrey Chandler, Founder-Chair, Amnesty International UK Business Group 1991-2001 and former senior executive Royal Dutch/Shell Group -... CSR [corporate social responsibility] will be largely cosmetic if there is no commitment to labour conditions based on acceptable standards for a company's own employees and its supply chains, if there is no acceptance of responsibility for the environmental and human rights impact of its operations, if there is no monitoring and reporting on that impact as rigorous in principle as reporting on money. (Sir Geoffrey Chandler, 1 July 2002)

"Beyond Good Intentions: Corporate Citizenship for a New Century" - RSA World Leaders Lecture - Mary Robinson, United Nations High Comissioner for Human Rights - London -...the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, an expert body of the inter-governmental Commission on Human Rights, is in the process of developing human rights principles for companies under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other universally accepted norms. (Mary Robinson, U.N. High Comissioner for Human Rights, 7 May 2002)

2001:

Multinational firms above the law, say rights activists [Indonesia]: Multinational companies have the potential of abusing the basic rights of local people in their operational areas, mostly in the developing countries, amid the absence of a mechanism to hold them accountable. In a public discussion held by the National Commission on Human Rights on the issue, rights activists pointed out that the companies' private status had given them impunity to avoid accountability...In the discussion, the activists called for a mechanism to make the multinational corporations be accountable for any human rights violations. Ifdhal [Institute for Policy Research and Advocacy executive director Ifdhal Kasim] suggested broadening the scope of human rights laws to cover the corporations. (Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, Jakarta Post, 23 Nov. 2001)

[new draft of the U.N. human rights principles for business]: Draft Fundamental Human Rights Principles for Business Enterprises (Draft for Discussion November 2001) (Professor David Weissbrodt, United Nations Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, 18 Nov. 2001)

Wanted - global authority to tame big business: British charity Christian Aid last week urged delegations heading for next week's World Trade Organisation conference in Qatar to consider the need for a new global regulator to bring corporations under legally binding control. (Reuters, 5 Nov. 2001)

• Christian Aid issues warning on landmark global trade summit: An audience of journalists and leading policy-makers gathered in central London at the launch of Christian Aid’s new book, Trade for life, and report, Master or servant, ahead of a landmark summit on global trade...Mark Curtis also unveiled Christian Aid’s proposals for a new global regulation authority to make big business legally and democratically accountable. 'Any further opening of trade in poor countries, especially in public services and procurement, is likely to bring further benefits to corporations and shareholders,' he said. 'But it could be harmful to millions of poor people unless tight national regulation is supported by a new Global Regulation Authority with powers under international law.' (Christian Aid, 2 Nov. 2001)

• book: Trade for life: making trade work for poor people: For a decade the rules covering trade, investment, services, agriculture and intellectual property have been negotiated through the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Can we, at the start of a new millennium, rewrite these rules to serve the needs of poor people? Or as the rich get richer, will the poor continue to be pushed to the margins? (Christian Aid, 1 Nov. 2001)
  • Chapter 5: "Transnational corporations and the need for regulation"

• report: Master or servant: how global trade can work for the benefit of poor people: Christian Aid is calling for a globalisation that addresses inequality and promotes economic justice. [includes Chapter entitled "Taming the transnationals". (Christian Aid, 1 Nov. 2001)

• The Christian Aid book and report include sections on the following subjects:
  • "Nine ways in which multinationals can harm poor people" 
  • Why self-regulation & voluntary codes of conduct are not enough
  • Why current international standards are inadequate
  • Proposal for a new Global Regulatory Authority, to establish & enforce human rights, labour & environmental standards in transnational business (including specific functions that such a body should perform)

Statement by the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights to the United Nations Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights’ Working Group on the Working Methods and Activities of Transnational Corporations (Lawyers Committee for Human Rights, 2 Aug. 2001)

U.N. Sub-Commission resolution 2001/3: The effects of the working methods and activities of transnational corporations on the enjoyment of human rights [extending for 3 years the mandate of the Working Group on transnational corporations] (United Nations Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, 15 Aug. 2001)

Statement by Human Rights Watch to the United Nations Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights’ Working Group on the Working Methods and Activities of Transnational Corporations (Human Rights Watch, 31 July 2001)

Statement by Sir Geoffrey Chandler (former Chair, Amnesty International United Kingdom Business Group) regarding the Draft Universal Human Rights Guidelines for Companies, to the Working Group on the working methods and activities of transnational corporations, United Nations Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (Sir Geoffrey Chandler, 31 July 2001)

{···español} Intervención del Centro de Derechos Humanos y Medio Ambiente en la Sub Comisión de Derechos Humanos - Grupo de Trabajo sobre Métodos y Actividades de Corporaciones Transnacionales (Jorge Daniel Taillant, Director Ejecutivo, CEDHA [Centro de Derechos Humanos y Medio Ambiente / Center for Human Rights and the Environment], 31 de Julio, 2001)

Business and Global Corporate Citizenship: Best Practice for the Future - "Business and Human Rights: The Way Forward": Statement by Dr. B.G. Ramcharan, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights (delivered to Wilton Park Conference, Montreux, Switzerland, 2 May 2001)

Companies and Human Rights - Recent Developments [commentary by Sir Geoffrey Chandler on the Draft United Nations Human Rights Guidelines for Companies] (Sir Geoffrey Chandler, 5 Apr. 2001)

UN [United Nations] guidelines for companies: David Weissbrodt (assisted by Christopher Avery and Muria Kruger) explains the rationale - In August 1999 the UN Working Group on the Methods and Activities of Transnational Corporations asked Professor David Weissbrodt to prepare a set of human rights guidelines for companies. (David Weissbrodt [member of the UN Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights], Christopher Avery and Muria Kruger, in Human Rights & Business Matters, newsletter of Amnesty International UK Business Group, spring/summer 2001) [For links to the latest draft of the guidelines, see the section of this website entitled "UN Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights"]