ICC's 10th International conference of NHRIs in Scotland
International Coordinating Committee's 10th Biennial International conference of NHRIs was organized at Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom from the 7th -10th October, 2010. The theme of the conference was 'Human Rights and Business; The Role of NHRIs'. Mr. Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Chairperson, NHRC, India led a delegation, comprising Mr. Justice G.P. Mathur, Member and Mr. K.S. Money, Secretary General, to the conference.
Addressing one of the sessions on 'Asia Pacific - Human Trafficking' during the conference, Mr. Justice Balakrishnan said that globalization has lifted millions out of the clutches of poverty, but there is conspicuous tension today between human rights and processes of globalization of which the chief drivers are multi-national corporations. He said that there are several examples which can explicate this uneasy relationship between business and human rights. In this context, he cited the example of Union Carbide Gas leak tragedy in Bhopal in December, 1984, which took away about 20 thousand peoples' life and caused grievous harm to lots of others. He also spoke about the Bauxite mining project of a corporate house in Orissa affecting environment and interest of the local people. Spraying of Endosulfan for cashew plantation was also mentioned by him as it is causing major health hazards in the area.
Mr. Justice Balakrishnan said that growing contract system has led to dilution of labour rights under the liberalization as a part of globalization. He said that the development paradigm has caused conditions of forced/bonded labour in many occupations.
Justice Balakrishnan also cited the increasing trend for outsourcing production to third world countries to exploit the availability of cheap labour. He also spoke of the ill effects of mining, stone crushing and quarrying causing silicosis due to inhalation of silica. He said that the environmental damage caused by the business units and violation of peoples' human rights living in the vicinity can not be overlooked.
Mr. Justice Balakrishnan said that NHRC India is of the firm view that the NHRIs can play a crucial role in establishing a culture of accountability as they are entrusted to monitor the state's performance.
Addressing one of the sessions on 'Asia Pacific - Human Trafficking' during the conference, Mr. Justice Balakrishnan said that globalization has lifted millions out of the clutches of poverty, but there is conspicuous tension today between human rights and processes of globalization of which the chief drivers are multi-national corporations. He said that there are several examples which can explicate this uneasy relationship between business and human rights. In this context, he cited the example of Union Carbide Gas leak tragedy in Bhopal in December, 1984, which took away about 20 thousand peoples' life and caused grievous harm to lots of others. He also spoke about the Bauxite mining project of a corporate house in Orissa affecting environment and interest of the local people. Spraying of Endosulfan for cashew plantation was also mentioned by him as it is causing major health hazards in the area.
Mr. Justice Balakrishnan said that growing contract system has led to dilution of labour rights under the liberalization as a part of globalization. He said that the development paradigm has caused conditions of forced/bonded labour in many occupations.
Justice Balakrishnan also cited the increasing trend for outsourcing production to third world countries to exploit the availability of cheap labour. He also spoke of the ill effects of mining, stone crushing and quarrying causing silicosis due to inhalation of silica. He said that the environmental damage caused by the business units and violation of peoples' human rights living in the vicinity can not be overlooked.
Mr. Justice Balakrishnan said that NHRC India is of the firm view that the NHRIs can play a crucial role in establishing a culture of accountability as they are entrusted to monitor the state's performance.