The issue of human trafficking in supply chains 2012, para. 24

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While international law is primarily addressed to States, it is clearly recognized that powerful non-State actors such as corporations have responsibilities to respect human rights. Indeed, the preamble of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights explicitly states that the responsibility is one for every individual and every organ of society, indicating that respect for human rights is a shared responsibility of States and non-State actors. Since the 1970s, a number of intergovernmental organizations have formulated voluntary guidelines, declarations and codes of conduct aimed at regulating corporate activities. The discussion has intensified over the past decade or so, culminating in the development of further non-binding instruments directed at businesses to ensure greater respect for human rights. One of the earlier examples is the Global Compact, which encourages businesses to align their operations and strategies with 10 universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption. While it does not specifically refer to trafficking in persons, it does call for the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour and child labour, in addition to the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation. The Global Compact seeks to bring corporate actors into the arena of human rights and, since its launch in July 2000, more than 8,700 companies in 130 countries have signed up to it. Concerns have been expressed, however, that the entry process is not sufficiently selective or conducive to high-quality participation and that there is no adequate and effective monitoring and verification of implementation by the participants.
Legal status
Non-negotiated soft law
Body
Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
Document type
Special Procedures' report
Means of adoption
N.A.
Topic(s)
  • Equality & Inclusion
  • Governance & Rule of Law
Person(s) affected
  • N.A.
Year
2012
Paragraph type
Other
Paragraph number
24