Jamina C. Ditanongun The Contemporary World (GEC 103) Hasna Saman I-ABISS/TFR 1:00-2:30 Claire K. Dale Instructor: Jayboy M. Satorio Khalifa Anton The Dark side of Globalization: Corporate accountability and human rights abuses Globalization is a global movement towards integration of the economy, finance, commerce, and communication. It is also the interconnectedness of the people around the world through culture, politics, and technology. It is a broader view of an interconnected and independent world with free transfers of capitals, goods, and services across national borders. Human rights are the right to life of every human being, the freedom of movement, the freedom to express opinions, the rights to be respected, and more. A human rights abuse is anything that harms someone’s human rights. They include harm to people, communities, and the environment. The are different kinds of human rights abuse, it can be physical harm, harm to relationships, economic harm, environmental harm, harm to mental health, and lastly, harm to a person's identity. Corporate accountability measures a company's ability to pay attention to its stakeholders and ensure they get the most out of its activities, one example is the responsibility to refrain from harming the environment, persons, or communities, as is the positive commitment to safeguarding society and the environment. The accountability problem has legal, ethical, and political dimensions, and it is imperative to recognize and tackle all three. The multiplicity of dimensions has changed the way human rights organizations conceived their work and how they work to promote and defend fundamental freedoms (Mendez, E. 2017). Globalization is everywhere, it has both negative and positive aspects. Globalization is allegedly responsible for human rights violations on the one hand, but allows human rights movements to counter its excesses and negative effects on the other hand (Council of Europe, 2023). This global development is sometimes viewed as being responsible for exploitation, and other forms of human rights abuses. On the other hand, improvements in rights are sometimes attributed to the spread of liberal ideas and movements, which is one of the key dimensions of globalization (Arfat, 2023), so there is significant relationship between human rights and globalization. Lee, D. & Lee, E. (2010) states that Human Rights and the ethics of globalization provides a balanced, thoughtful discussion of the globalization of the economy and the ethical considerations inherent in the many changes it has prompted. The book’s introduction maps out the philosophical foundations for constructing an ethic of globalization, taking into account both traditional and contemporary sources. According to indicators of political repression currently used by scholars, human rights practices have not improved over the past 35 years, despite the spread of human rights norms, better monitoring, and the increasing prevalence of electoral democracy. The standard accountability used to asses state behaviors becomes more stringent as monitors look harder for abuse, and classify more acts as abuse. The article shows that the respect for human rights has improved overtime (Fariss, C. 2014). Globalization has undoubtedly brought many benefits, such as increased trade, economic growth, and cultural exchange. However, it is essential to acknowledge that there are dark sides to globalization as well, particularly when it comes to corporate accountability and human rights abuses. One major concern is that multinational corporations (MNCs) operating across borders may exploit loopholes in regulations to avoid responsibility for their actions. This can lead to negative social and environmental impacts, including labor rights violations, abusive working conditions, and environmental degradation. Moreover, MNCs often have significant economic and political power, which can make it challenging for affected individuals or communities to seek justice. To address these issues, various efforts have been made to hold corporations accountable for their actions. One approach is through international frameworks and agreements, such as the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. These principles outline the responsibilities of states and corporations in ensuring human rights are respected throughout business operations. Additionally, there are platforms like the Global Reporting Initiative that encourage businesses to report on their social and environmental impacts transparently. Civil society organizations and grassroots movements also play a crucial role in raising awareness and advocating for corporate accountability. Through research, advocacy, and public pressure, they push for stricter regulations, better enforcement of existing laws, and the promotion of ethical business practices. Actions taken by the government and its people to solve human rights, the Philippine government created in 2002 the Presidential Human Rights Committee (PHRC) as the "advisory body to the President in effectively addressing all human rights issues in the country." Its role and membership were strengthened in 2006. The Executive Director of its secretariat, Undersecretary Severo S. Catura, explained the response of the Philippine government to the human rights situation in the country in a study meeting held in Osaka on 5 February 2010. He explained that, as a matter of principle, while others may look at human rights in the context of violations, the Philippine government looks at it in the context of good governance. He noted that essence, as we protect and secure human rights, we create conditions needed to counter the prevailing global recession, attain economic growth, and induce development that would confidently last across generations (HURIGHTS OSAKA, 2010). Furthermore, consumers' choices can also have an impact. By supporting companies with strong social and environmental commitments and boycotting those involved in human rights abuses, consumers can exert pressure on corporations to improve their practices. Governments have a critical role to play in creating and enforcing regulations that promote corporate accountability. Strong legislation, effective monitoring mechanisms, and penalties for non-compliance are necessary to ensure that businesses operate with respect for human rights and the environment. Overall, addressing the dark side of globalization requires a multi-faceted approach involving international agreements, civil society engagement, consumer activism, and responsible governance. To further strengthen the mechanisms employed by the government to combat human rights abuse, By working together, we can strive for a more just and sustainable global economy. In an age of globalization, the recognition of human dignity and the struggle to protect human rights has become even more complex and challenging. While protections for human rights are increasingly enacted by governments and international bodies like the United Nations, grave threats to and gross violations of human rights are also on the rise. The world’s financial capital is ever more integrated, and wealth is ever more centralized in the hands of financial elites and corporate institutions. Realizing social and economic rights, especially eradicating hunger and reducing unemployment, is becoming increasingly difficult. Bringing conflicts to a just and durable resolution is more daunting with the increased capacity of individuals, governments and their military forces, and other entities, including paramilitary and extremist groups, to organize and unleash violence. These groups have access to more sophisticated communications technology and more deadly instruments of war than ever before. Ending violence and wars, and checking impunity and disregard for international human rights and humanitarian laws will require more than political will and moral courage. Concrete programs and mechanisms are needed to realize the totality of human rights: civil, political, social, economic, and cultural. We must offer peace by advocating for its concrete manifestations in the availability of nutritious food to eat and clean water to drink, for decent work and living wage for everyone, and health, housing and education for all (Book of resolutions, 2016). Nadia Bernaz Taylor & Francis (2016) states that Business corporations can and do violate human rights all over the world, and they are often not held to account. Emblematic cases and situations such as the state of the Niger Delta and the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory are examples of corporate human rights abuses which are not adequately prevented and remedied. Business and human rights as a field seeks to enhance the accountability of business companies and businesspeople in the human rights area, or, to phrase it differently, to bridge the accountability gap. Bridging the accountability gap is to be understood as both setting standards and holding corporations and businesspeople to account if violations occur. Adopting a legal perspective, this book presents the ways in which this dual undertaking has been and could be further carried out in the future, and evaluates the extent to which the various initiatives in the field bridge the corporate accountability gap. It looks at the historical background of the field of business and human rights, and examines salient periods, events and cases. The book then goes on to explore the relevance of international human rights law and international criminal law for global business. International soft law and policy initiatives which have blossomed in recent years are evaluated along with private modes of regulation. The book also examines how domestic law, especially the domestic law of multinational companies’ home countries, can be used to prevent and redress corporate related human rights violations. REFERENCES Council of Europe, 2023. Globalisation- Manual for Human Rights Education with Young people. Retrieved from https://www.coe.int/en/web/compass/globalisation#:~:text=Globalisation%20is%20every where%3B%20it%20has,effects%20on%20the%20other%20hand. HURIGHTS OSAKA, 2010. Human Rights in the Philippines: Government Response. Retrieved from https://www.hurights.or.jp/archives/focus/section2/2010/03/human-rightsin-the-philippines-government-response.html Book of Resolutions, 2016. Globalization and Its Impact on Human Dignity and Human Rights. Retrieved from https://www.umjustice.org/who-we-are/social-principles-and- resolutions/globalization-and-its-impact-on-human-dignity-and-human-rights-6025 Taylor, N.B & Francis, 2016. Business and Human Rights. Retrieved from https://books.google.com Lee, D.J & Lee, E.J, 2010. Human rights and the ethics of globalization. Retrieved from https://scholar.google.com Mendez, J.E, 2017. Accountability for past abuses. Retrieved from https://scholar.google.com Fariss, C.J, 2014. Respect for human rights has improved over time: Modeling the changing standard of accountability. Retrieved from https://scholar.google.com Arfat, A, 2013. Globalisation and Human Rights: An Overview of its Impact. Retrieved from https://worldscholars.org
