Corporate Accountability in ASEAN: A Human Rights-Based Approach assesses the impacts of business on human rights in the ASEAN sub-region. Originating from cases presented at two public hearings organised by civil society groups in 2011 in response to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR)’s undertaking of a thematic study on the topic of “corporate social responsibility” (CSR) in ASEAN, this report documents cases of human rights violations in relation to business activities in the sub-region, and demonstrates that voluntary CSR initiatives promoted by businesses – and by ASEAN institutions – are insufficient.

It calls for a move from the CSR approach towards principles of Corporate Accountability, which emphasises, among others, the need for legally binding and enforceable requirements upon businesses with regard to the protection of human rights in accordance with international human rights norms and standards, and for meaningful redress for human rights violations.