Business and Human Rights: Overview
Welcome to Amnesty Canada's Business and Human Rights Program.
In the 21st century, economic globalization has shifted the balance of power between countries and companies. Many corporations wield more economic power than governments, and thus their influence can be considerable. Economic globalization has given companies access to new territories and resources and has expanded the human rights impact of their operations beyond national borders. A strengthening of legal protections for the economic interests of businesses throughout the 1990’s has not been matched by an equal strengthening of human rights safeguards.
Amnesty International is concerned about the impact that some companies and other economic actors have on human rights. On the one hand, many businesses have a positive impact on human rights, for example through the provision of jobs and support for local communities. Unfortunately however, other companies are implicated in the violation of human rights. In their desire to fuel their own economic growth, many states are failing to protect their populations from the negative human rights impacts of multinational business ventures.
Amnesty International works nationally and internationally to make sure that companies and other economic actors respect and promote human rights. In Canada, we call on the Canadian government to establish legal mechanisms to hold Canadian companies accountable for their human rights violations overseas. We also support international processes that concentrate on the responsibilities of transnational corporations with respect to human rights. We hold meetings with Canadian companies and encourage them to improve their human rights practices, and when appropriate, we involve Amnesty members and supporters in applying pressure where it is needed.
Updated:18 December 2007