Human rights violations by corporations

Industrial violations of human rights

Nature

Human rights violations by corporations refer to unethical practices that infringe upon the fundamental rights and freedoms of individuals, often in pursuit of profit. These violations can include exploitation of labor, environmental degradation, discrimination, and inadequate working conditions. Corporations may operate in countries with weak regulatory frameworks, leading to abuses such as child labor, forced labor, and suppression of workers' rights. The impact of these violations extends beyond individual workers, affecting communities and ecosystems. Addressing corporate human rights violations is crucial for promoting social justice, accountability, and sustainable development in a globalized economy.

Incidence

A 2023 report by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre documented over 1,100 allegations of human rights abuses linked to corporations worldwide, with the highest number of cases reported in Latin America and Asia. Common violations include forced labor, land dispossession, and attacks on human rights defenders, particularly in the extractive, agribusiness, and garment sectors. The United Nations has noted persistent gaps in corporate accountability, despite the adoption of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in 2011.
In 2012, the Marikana massacre in South Africa highlighted severe corporate-linked human rights violations when security forces killed 34 striking mine workers at the Lonmin platinum mine, following disputes over wages and working conditions.

Claim

Long established principles ensure the rights of all people to life, health and family and a right to a clean environment that is the foundation for those rights. But in practice, industry has repeatedly violated those rights in the 20 th century. A common set of patterns underlies many of industry's human rights violations. Often the industry's most extensive damage is inflicted on populations with apparent endorsement of government, justified as "acceptable risk". But endorsement by government does not eliminate the fact of a human rights abuse.

Counter-claim

While some may argue that corporations violate human rights, this perspective overlooks the significant benefits these entities provide, such as job creation and economic growth. Focusing on alleged violations distracts from the positive impact of corporate innovation and philanthropy. Moreover, the complexities of global supply chains make it unrealistic to hold corporations solely accountable. Instead of vilifying businesses, we should celebrate their contributions to society and prioritize economic development over unfounded accusations of human rights abuses.