Human Rights and Business&

The Maritime Industry

Richard KarmelMazars

3 April 2014

Mazars – Our Global Footprint

Globally: over 850 partners and 13,800 professional staff in 72 countries

Joint ventures and representative offices in a further 19 countries

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Business and Human Rights – Mazars

“Judges felt the Mazars’ Human Rights Audit was pertinent, innovative and could set a benchmark for global best practice". IAB Innovation Award 2012

• At Mazars we are participating in the drafting of the Reporting and Assurance Framework Initiative for human rights and business.

• The first of these frameworks deals with how businesses should disclose their alignment with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).

• The second provides guidance to assurance providers in order that they can provide independent assurance on whether companies are complying with their obligations in this regard.

Business and Human Rights

• The UNGPs on business and human rights were unanimously endorsed by the UN in June 2011.

• Since then they have been seen as the framework to which all companies should strive to comply.

• In order to set out on their journey of compliance, the UNGPs state that each company needs to have an understanding of their current impacts on society.

“Business enterprises should respect human rights. This means that they should avoid infringing on the human rights of others and should address adverse human rights impacts with which they are involved.”Principle 11, UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights

State duty to protect

Corporate responsibility to

respect

Greater access to effective

remedy

Policies

Legislation

Regulation

What? Who?Why? How?

“Know and show”

Judicial mechanisms

Non-judicial mechanisms

BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS

UN GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Business and Human Rights – Maritime“…seafarers are covered by the provisions of other ILO instruments and have other rights which are established as fundamental rights and freedoms applicable to all persons…”ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006

• Maritime industry is no different to any other industry or industry sector

• Human rights apply to everyone

• International Labour Organisation (ILO) has several relevant conventions

• These deal with labour rights and some fundamental rights

• They do not necessarily deal with specific human rights issues such as the right to life

Business and Human Rights – Maritime

The Human Rights at Sea Initiative is the first attempt to provide clear and practical guidance for the maritime industry

What are some of the key areas for potential abuse in maritime:• Treatment of workers• Worker conditions• Properly maintained ships• Health and safety• Sub-contractors• Port authorities• Coastal populations• Security