Corporate Social Responsibility Press Release
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8.22.2008 - 12:01pm ET
News from:
Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
Which Companies Have Made A Public Commitment To Human Rights?
Mary Robinson launches initiative to mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(CSRwire) - August 22, 2008 - A growing number of major companies – including
Anglo American, BP, Codelco, GE, HSBC and Mitsubishi – have made a
commitment to human rights as part of their corporate responsibility
initiatives. Over half of the UK's FTSE 100 companies have done so. But
the vast majority of companies around the world have not taken this
important first step towards ensuring that their operations respect human
rights.
Realizing
Rights and the Business & Human Rights
Resource Centre are joining together to encourage more companies to
adopt human rights policies, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights during 2008.
Over the coming months, Mary Robinson, founder and President of Realizing
Rights and Chair of the Resource Centre's Advisory Network, will be
writing to the CEOs of major companies asking whether their firms have a
human rights policy statement and encouraging them to adopt one if they do
not.
Company human rights policy statements will be added to the running list
on the Resource Centre website:
www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/Policies
All Fortune Global 500 companies that do not yet feature on the list will
be contacted, along with other leading companies from every region.
In the days leading up to 10 December 2008, the 60th anniversary of the
adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Realizing Rights
and the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre will draw international
attention to the companies that have taken this important step.
As Mary Robinson says in her letter to the CEOs:
"Over the past ten years I have seen more and more business leaders
make the connection between human rights and the success of their
companies. Never before has the private sector had such influence and
therefore so much opportunity to contribute to human rights.
As one business leader said: 'Not having a stand on human rights is not an
option – it is necessary for risk management as well as reputational
purposes.'
It is also the right thing to do. Human rights are
internationally-recognised standards. They provide a framework for
companies to avoid harm and ensure they treat people fairly and
respectfully, wherever they operate."
Read the full letter: Click
here
Any company with a human rights policy statement wishing to be added to
the list should notify Annabel Short at the Business & Human Rights
Resource Centre: short@business-humanrights.org.
For more information please contact:
Annabel Short, Head of Programme and UN Representative
Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
New York tel/fax: +1 212 564 9160
www.business-humanrights.org.
News Categories:
Human Rights and Corporate Governance
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