Muluneh Aynalem

Human Rights Obligations of Corporations: Voluntary Norms, Legal Obligations Muluneh Aynalem

Traditionally, only sovereign states were considered as bearers of human rights obligations. In fact, many of the obligations to respect, protect and fulfill human rights go to states. But it has become evident that states are not the only subjects of these obligations. Transnational corporations, among the non-state actors have been involved in activities that very much impacted human rights. Nowadays, government is no more sole employer; corporations provide for ample job opportunities and administer millions of workers. Corporations have become more and more involved in activities which once were left exclusively for governments. As such, it is now beyond debate that activities of corporations affect human rights. But whether corporations bear legal obligations with respect to human rights is an issue not yet resolved. The book enlightens readers on such issue thereby making a critical examination of the developing international trend. The utility of this book for scholars and researchers, business community, social and human rights activists and welfare organizations is definitive.