Essential Links

Ethical Insight

Global Risks Portfolio

Maps

Search

Human rights monitoring system

Do you know whether your company is at risk of association with a violation of human rights, which could have repercussions on the company's reputation? Human rights risk management is becoming increasingly important as the pressure from shareholders, governments and the general public on businesses to act 'responsibly' increases. Monitoring of human rights throughout operations is part of the risk-management process.

The Human rights monitoring mechanism introduces a straightforward human rights survey, which can be used and adapted by companies to provide a basic overview of human rights in its operations and countries of operation around the world. The aim of the survey is to locate and analyse any areas of operations where there have been human rights violations or where there is a high risk of such violations in the future.

The survey is simple to complete - it is based on a 'traffic lights' approach (low, medium and high risk) and its ten questions cover the wide-ranging human rights issues incorporated within the Principles of the United Nations Global Compact. Those completing the survey are also asked to expand on their replies, as space for additional comment is provided.

Maplecroft also publish a companion document - Human rights business requirements explained provides more information about the human rights addressed in the survey.

Human rights business requirements explained

This companion document to the Human rights monitoring mechanism explains the basis of the rights addressed in the Human rights monitoring mechanism. It can also be read as a standalone document, as it provides an overview of many important aspects of human rights and their relevance to business.

Human rights business requirements explained includes:

• a quick introduction to human rights and human rights law, and why they are important to business;
• a series of explanations of the rights dealt with in the human rights survey questions; and
• an appendix containing references to the relevant sections of international treaties, declarations and conventions that are relevant to the various rights dealt with in the survey.

Site Last Updated 4 July, 2008 1:00 PM