Castan Centre for Human Rights Law

Multinational Corporations and Human Rights

Government-initiated Norms

Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative

The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is a UK Government sponsored initiative to promote transparent reporting by governments of aggregate revenues derived from mineral resource extraction. It was launched by UK Prime Minister Tony Blair at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, September 2002.

http://www2.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/extractiveindustries.asp

The European Coalition on Oil in Sudan – Business Principles for Sudan during the Interim Period

This is a coalition of European organisations working for peace in Sudan. Part of its mission involves advising oil companies that operate in Sudan on how to ensure that Sudan's oil wealth ceases to fund the country’s civil war. Its business principles and benchmarks are directed at these oil companies.

http://www.ecosonline.org/back/pdf_reports/2004/BenchmarksPrinciples/ECOS%20princpsfinal2.doc

Benchmarks for oil companies operating in Sudan
http://www.ecosonline.org/back/pdf_reports/2004/BenchmarksPrinciples/ECOS%20BchmrksCompsfinal3.doc

US Business Principles for Rights of Workers in China

Published in May 1999 by the International Labour Rights Fund, the idea behind these principles first received public attention in 1991 as a U.S. Congressional resolution introduced by Republican John Miller. The resolution required that the U.S. Department of State verify company compliance with the principles backed up by an ability to impose sanctions for non-compliance. This bill was passed in the House of Representatives but the Senate took no action on it. In 1995 a similar bill was introduced but this failed to reach the floor of the House. The principles, as published in May 1999, formed part of an NGO-led campaign to secure business adherence to the principles.

http://www.laborrights.org/projects/china/business.htm

US/UK Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights

Released on 20 December 2000, the Voluntary Principles were drafted by the governments of the U.S. and the United Kingdom, companies in the extractive and energy sectors and NGOs, all with an interest in human rights and corporate social responsibility. The aim of the principles is to provide practical guidance to company adherents that will strengthen human rights safeguards in security arrangements in the extractive sector.

http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/2931.htm