Course | Columbia Law School

Today, alongside governments, companies often are viewed both as non-state sources of human rights abuse and as international actors with the capacity and resources to promote human rights. Over the last 20 years, human rights advocates have shined a spotlight on human rights conditions in a wide range of transnational industries including oil and mining; the manufacturing of apparel, carpets, footwear, sporting goods, and toys; the agricultural production of coffee, tea, cocoa and bananas for global markets; and the pharmaceutical and other high technology sectors. The abuses at issue include complicity with governments that violate human rights, child and forced labor, limits on freedom of association, and dangerous and unhealthy conditions for workers and communities. During the same period, business and human rights has emerged as a distinct field within the broader corporate responsibility movement. In response to growing pressure to address human rights issues, transnational companies have undertaken human rights initiatives that seek to manage human rights risks, and in some cases, promote human rights as a source of competitive advantage in the marketplace. Human rights are now a concern of business, management and their advisers.

Drawing on industry case studies, legal proceedings and a growing academic literature, this seminar analyzes the challenges and opportunities that arise for advocates and business managers at the intersection of business operations and efforts to promote international human rights.

This seminar is designed to help students understand the human rights standards that affect business and the remedies available to human rights advocates seeking to influence corporate policies and practices. It also encourages participants to consider how human rights can guide corporate decision-making by exploring current best practices among corporate human rights initiatives.