Home > Ethics and Social Responsibility

Human Rights

Human rights refer to the concept of human beings having universal natural rights, or status, regardless of legal jurisdiction or other localizing factors.

In this context:

1. Treat people with dignity and respect.
   
   
2. Support and respect the protection of international human rights within the organization’s sphere of influence.
   
   
3. Lead the organization and its supply chain to ensure application of human and employment rights.

ISM Resources:

• Click here to view the ISM Official Position Statement on Equal Gender Compensation and Opportunity Worldwide (PDF).
  
  
  

Other Resources:

• A World Connected is a project of the Institute for Human Studies at George Mason University. This non-profit organization promotes innovating thinking about how to achieve a world that is peaceful, prosperous and free.
  
  
• American Rights at Work is a labor policy and advocacy organization dedicated to educating the American public about the barriers that workers face when they attempt to exercise their rights to organize and engage in collective bargaining. The Web site includes links to publications, a Workers' Rights Clearringhouse, Workers' Rights Watch, a monthly feature that keeps watch on the National Labor Relations Board, and other information.
  
  
• Amnesty International USA is the U.S. Section of Amnesty International is a Nobel Prize-winning organization that focuses on preventing and ending abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination, within the context of its work to promote all human rights.
  
  
• The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre provides links to a wide range of materials published by companies, NGOs, governments, intergovernmental organizations, journalists, academics, etc. It includes reports of corporate misconduct, as well as positive examples of "best practice" by companies. The purpose of the Centre's website is to promote greater awareness and informed discussion of important issues relating to business and human rights.
  
  
• The Business Leaders Initiative on Human Rights (BLIHR) began in 2003 for an initial three- year period to help lead and develop the corporate response to human rights. The seven companies that launched the initiative believe in an evidence-based approach based on the application and testing of human rights across a number of business sectors and geographic locations.
  
  
• The Center for Economic and Social Rights (CESR) promotes social justice through human rights. In a world where poverty and inequality deprive entire communities of dignity and even life itself, CESR promotes the universal right of every human being to housing, education, health and a healthy environment, food, work, and social security.
  
  
• Corporate Watch features news, analysis, research tools and campaigns materials on corporate activity and its impact on human rights, and social and environmental justice.
  
  
• The Fair Labor Association (FLA) is a non-profit organization combining the efforts of industry, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), colleges and universities to promote adherence to international labor standards and improve working conditions worldwide.
  
  
• Guide for Integrating Human Rights into Business Management (7MB – PDF) This Guide was published in May 2006 as joint publication of Business Leaders Initiative on Human Rights (BLIHR), Global Compact Office and Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. Prepared by business for business, it offers practical guidance on how to implement human rights within business practice. It includes practical examples of human rights implementation from numerous companies.
  
  
• Human Rights Education Associates (HREA) is an international non-governmental organization with a mission to support training to promote understanding, attitudes and actions to protect human rights and foster the development of peaceable, free and just communities.
  
  
• Human Rights Watch is a global organization dedicated to protecting the human rights of people. The Web site includes links to information by country and articles on numerous worldwide human rights issues.
  
  
• The International Labor Rights Fund is a labor rights advocacy organization. Site includes position statements and reports on labor rights issues.
  
  
• The International Labour Organization is the UN specialized agency that seeks the promotion of social justice and internationally recognized human and labor rights.
  
  
• NATLEX is a database of national labor, social security and related human rights legislation maintained by the International Labor Organization's International Labour Standards Department. Records in this database provide abstracts of legislation and relevant citation information. The database contains over 55,000 records covering over 170 countries and territories.
  
  
• Social Accountability International (SAI) is a non-governmental, international, multi-stakeholder organization dedicated to improving workplaces and communities by developing and implementing socially responsible standards. SAI promotes workers' rights primarily through their voluntary SA8000 system, a global social accountability standard for decent working conditions, which is based on the International Labor Organization (ILO) standards and U.N. Human Rights Conventions.
  
  
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the Web site maintained by the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, supporting a U.S. national coalition that was formed to promote action that would advance respect for human rights, both at home and abroad. The site is maintained as a resource for those who want to join in the ongoing struggle for human rights. In addition to a link to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, information is included at this site for Human Rights Day (December 10) and Universal Human Rights Month.
  
  
• The University of Minnesota Human Rights Center helps train effective human rights professionals and volunteers. The Human Rights Center assists human rights advocates, monitors, students, and educators through human rights research, educational tools, field and training opportunities, learning communities and partnerships, and online resources.