We use cookies to give you the best online experience. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies in accordance with our cookie policy. Learn more here.Close Me
I recently published an op-ed in The Christian Science Monitor cautioning
companies seeking to make investments in Burma (Myanmar) to make
sure that the inflow of new investments does not end up harming the
country's long-suffering citizens.
In the op-ed, I note that "conducting this due diligence on
human rights poses a special challenge for companies because
Myanmar's government and local business have been closely
intertwined." Companies should exercise particular caution
"about whom they obtain access to land from, how they gain
that access, and how they conduct consultations with affected
communities."
Finally, I urge companies to
take concrete steps to see to it that their partners, local or
regional, also adhere to international standards. They must also
ensure that these partners are not implicated in any past conduct
that may expose investors to complicity risks. Foreign companies
need to take effective steps to conduct activities without
discrimination, as well, particularly while operating in regions
divided by ethnic conflict.
The U.N. Guiding Principles were the product of a six-year
mandate that I led, which included extensive consultations with
governments, businesses and civil society. The Principles were
endorsed unanimously by the U.N. Human Rights Council and have also
been incorporated by other leading global standard setting bodies.
Their intent is to provide operational guidance to companies, and
governments on how to fulfill their human rights
responsibilities.
Human rights due diligence should be a core component of any
company's efforts to manage operations in Burma, and other
challenging environments, in a manner that fulfills their
responsibility to respect human rights.
To view Foley Hoag's Corporate Social Responsibility
Blog please click
here
The content of this article is intended to provide a general
guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought
about your specific circumstances.
To print this article, all you need is to be registered on Mondaq.com.
Click to Login as an existing user or Register so you can print this article.
Understanding a loan to own structure is a useful tool to unlock, and/or preserve, existing value in a target business.
Some comments from our readers… “The articles are extremely timely and highly applicable” “I often find critical information not available elsewhere” “As in-house counsel, Mondaq’s service is of great value”
