53rd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council
Item 3: Interactive dialogue with the Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises
Oral statement delivered by Zia-ur-Rehman
On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
27 June 2023
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Mr. President,
We share the Working Group’s view about the centrality of capacity building for the full and meaningful implementation of the Guiding Principles.
However, we note that much of the violations and abuses linked to business and corporate activities are primarily the result of deliberate disregard by States and corporations for their obligations under the Guiding Principles and international human rights standards rather than the mere lack of capacity.
FORUM-ASIA’s research shows that far-reaching human rights and ecological consequences of mining operations in Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan, for example, are primarily the result of complete disregard by the authorities and corporations for even the most basic standards for environmental and health safety.
Similarly, in Sri Lanka serious abuses including sexual harassment and violence against women workers in export processing zones by the employers documented by FORUM-ASIA are primarily the result of entrenched impunity for corporate abuses.
Such abuses in all three countries have been committed concurrently with threats, judicial harassment, SLAPP lawsuits and surveillance against human rights and environment rights defenders as well as worker’s rights activists demonstrating unwillingness of the State and corporate entities to genuinely address and remedy the serious negative implications of business practices.
Can the Working Group elaborate on measures States and corporations can implement to address the capacity gap of rights holders, especially those from local communities and marginalised groups, in advocating for their rights in contexts where they face threats and intimidation as a result of their advocacy?
Thank you.
