Development of International Human Rights Law in Business and Human Rights: Clarity and Effectiveness as 'Norms of Conduct' for Companies

Businesses have a significant impact on the lives of their employees, consumers and local people, and it is important that their rights are protected. That is why there are laws in place to this effect. However, despite such laws, stakeholders' rights and freedoms are not always respected, and in some countries, these laws don't exist at all, which is why the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights addresses human rights abuses committed in global business operations. But there remains a gap between the theory and practice of business and human rights. Associate Professor Emi Sugawara, Osaka University of Economics and Law, Japan, is seeking to bridge this gap. To this end, her team of frontline researchers of international human rights is working to reassess clarity and effectiveness of international human rights law as 'norms of conduct' for companies through a theoretical consideration. Ultimately, the researchers want to fill knowledge gaps related to business and human rights and influence Japanese society, effecting positive change.