Economic globalization has the potential to bring about economic growth and alleviate poverty, and thus support the realization of human rights, but the impacts of economic globalization have been often denounced as leading to increased inequalities, and to violations of economic, social and cultural rights. In times of economic crisis the negative effects of globalization needs to be dealt with as a matter of urgency.
Corporate responsibility
To understand the impact of the crisis and provide adequate remedies, FIDH believes that one has to look at its causes, which include the failure of governments to regulate private actors in order to protect human rights from their actions. International Human Rights Law imposes on States not only that they respect human rights but also that they protect them: that they ensure that all actors within their jurisdiction, including corporations and financial institutions, do not harm human rights.
Human rights under pressure
Economic, social and cultural rights of the poor in many countries are already undermined by the present crisis: the right to work, the right to an adequate standard of living in particular the right to housing, and the right food - already put under extreme pressure by the soaring food prices- are being increasingly hit. There is a serious risk when social tensions rise that other human rights be violated as well, and that the most vulnerable including migrants and refugees become the scapegoats of difficult times. The most vulnerable needs to be paid increased attention and to be adequately protected.
International cooperation
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights requires that States Parties « take steps individually, and through international cooperation » in order to achieve the realization of human rights. Developed countries should not take the excuse of the economic downturn to step away from their commitments to assist developing states to realize human rights.
FIDH calls on the Member States of the Human Rights Council to:
Renew their commitment to respect economic, social and cultural rights notably by ratifying the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural rights;
Discharge their duty to protect human rights and make sure economic actors are accountable for human rights abuses, and that victims of corporate-related abuses have an access to effective remedies;
Make sure international policies, including trade liberalization processes, do not harm but contribute to the realization of human rights in third countries.