The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) hosted the second Human Rights Management Forum at the Sungkunkwan University Law School on July 30, 2013. Co-hosted by the Legal Research Institute of Daegu University and sponsored by the Global Science and Technology Law Research Institute of Sungkunkwan University, the forum was held under the theme of “Business and Human Rights.” The main goals of the forum were1) to raise public awareness of human rights management, 2) to discuss the human rights violation issues concerning business activities from the public law perspective and, 3) to explore policy alternatives to encourage businesses to incorporate human rights into their management.
The NHRCK is currently carrying out a variety of activities aimed at increasing corporate awareness of the impact of their activities on human rights and fostering human rights management. As part of the effort, the commission has held a series of forums, discussions, and expert meetings since 2007. Based on such discussions, it published the Business and Human Rights Report earlier this year. Other efforts the commission is putting into for the promotion of human rights management include policy recommendations, opinion presentations, and outsourcing of public survey on business and human rights, and policy research with regard to business and human rights.
The Composition of the Second Human Rights Management forum was as follows:
① First session: Discussion on human rights violations perpetrated by businesses from the public law perspective.
At the first session, the remediation and remedies for adverse impact on human rights of business operations were discussed from the perspective of the Constitution and relevant international laws.
② Second Session: Discussion on state roles in facilitating human rights management
At the second session, panelists stressed the need for state enterprises and public organizations to lead human rights management to set an example for the private sector.
③ Third Session: Current trend of human rights management by Korean companies
At this session, the issue of protecting whistleblowers, among others, was discussed among others.
④ Fourth Session: Policy suggestions to implement human rights management
At this final session of the forum, the experts discussed ways to encourage businesses to adopt human rights management via government procurement.
Based on the valuable insights earned from experts at the forum, the NHRCK will explore room for improvement in legislation, policies and institutions affecting business and human rights, and make policy recommendations in order for business enterprises to voluntarily adopt human rights management. The commission will continue this forum in the future and its efforts in the field so that the culture of human rights management takes root in the business community.
