What are the different international human rights laws in the world right now?
There are many human rights laws that have been adopted by different countries around the world. Some of the most well-known international human rights laws include:
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): This is a declaration adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, which sets out the fundamental rights and freedoms that are to be protected for all human beings.
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR): This is a treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1966, which sets out the rights and freedoms that are to be protected for all individuals, including the right to life, liberty, and security of person; the right to a fair trial; the right to freedom of expression; and the right to privacy.
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR): This is a treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1966, which sets out the rights and freedoms related to economic, social, and cultural issues, including the right to work, the right to an adequate standard of living, the right to education, and the right to health.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC): This is a treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989, which sets out the rights and freedoms of children, including the right to survival, the right to development, and the right to protection from abuse, exploitation, and discrimination.
These are just a few examples of the many human rights laws that have been adopted at the international level. Many countries also have their own national laws that protect human rights, and there are also regional human rights instruments that have been adopted in different parts of the world.
what are the different supply chain transparency and/or modern slavery related laws in the world?
There are various supply chain transparency regulations that have been implemented around the world in order to ensure that companies are accountable for the impact of their business activities on people and the environment. Some examples of these regulations include:
United States:
This is a law in the United States that requires companies to disclose whether they use conflict minerals (such as tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold) in their products, and to provide information about the measures they have taken to ensure that these minerals are not being used to finance conflict or human rights abuses.
This is a law in the state of California that requires companies to disclose information about their efforts to eradicate slavery and human trafficking from their supply chains.
United Kingdom: The UK Modern Slavery Act: This is a law in the United Kingdom that requires companies to disclose information about their efforts to eradicate slavery and human trafficking from their supply chains.
This is a directive that requires companies listed on EU stock exchanges to disclose information about their efforts to address environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, including those related to their supply chains.
The Act requires certain large businesses and other organisations to report annually on the steps they have taken to address modern slavery in their operations and supply chains.
Under the Act, "modern slavery" is defined as any conduct that constitutes an offense under one or more of the following Australian laws: the Slavery Convention, the Forced Labor Convention, the Abolition of Forced Labor Convention, and the Protocol to the Forced Labor Convention. This includes offenses such as slavery, servitude, and human trafficking.
The Act applies to businesses and other organisations that have an annual consolidated revenue of at least AUD 100 million and that carry on any part of their business in Australia. These organizations must prepare a modern slavery statement each financial year outlining the actions they have taken to address modern slavery in their operations and supply chains. The statement must be made available on the organization's website and provided to the Australian Minister for Home Affairs upon request.
The Act also establishes a Modern Slavery Business Engagement Unit within the Department of Home Affairs, which is responsible for promoting compliance with the Act and providing guidance to businesses and other organizations on how to address modern slavery in their operations and supply chains.
Canada: The Canadian Modern Slavery Act (pending)
The Canadian government has announced its intention to introduce supply chain transparency legislation, which would require companies to disclose information about their efforts to address modern slavery and other human rights abuses in their supply chains.
The German Supply Chain Ordinance is a law that was passed by the German government in 2017. The Ordinance is part of the German Act on the Prevention of Human Rights Violations by Businesses, which was enacted in order to implement the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
The Supply Chain Ordinance applies to large companies that have their headquarters or a branch office in Germany and that meet certain financial thresholds. These companies are required to establish and implement measures to identify, prevent, and mitigate human rights risks and negative impacts in their own operations and in their global supply chains.
The Ordinance requires companies to disclose information about the measures they have taken to address human rights risks and impacts in their supply chains. This information must be provided in the form of a statement, which must be made available on the company's website and provided to the German Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs upon request.
The Ordinance also establishes a system for the supervision and enforcement of the Act, and provides for the imposition of administrative fines for non-compliance. The Act is enforced by the German Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, in cooperation with other government agencies.
The Indian Companies Act 2013 contains several provisions that relate to supply chain transparency. These provisions are designed to ensure that companies are accountable for the impact of their business activities on people and the environment.
Section 134 of the Act requires companies to prepare a "corporate social responsibility report," which must include information about the company's policies and initiatives in relation to social, environmental, and economic sustainability, including its supply chain management practices. The report must also include information about the company's efforts to ensure that its supply chains are socially and environmentally responsible, and about any measures taken to address any adverse impacts that may have occurred.
Section 135 of the Act establishes a "corporate social responsibility committee," which is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the company's corporate social responsibility policies and initiatives, including those related to supply chain management. The committee must be composed of at least three directors, at least one of whom must be an independent director.
The Act also contains provisions related to the management and reporting of environmental and social risks and impacts, which may be relevant to supply chain management. For example, Section 1(2) of the Act defines "sustainable development" as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, and Section 135(5) requires companies to consider the environmental and social impact of their business activities and to take steps to minimize any adverse impacts.
Overall, the Indian Companies Act 2013 contains a number of provisions that relate to supply chain transparency and the management of environmental and social risks and impacts in business operations and supply chains.
The Dutch Child Labour Due Diligence Law
This was passed by the Dutch Parliament in 2021. The Law requires companies to take steps to prevent and address child labor in their operations and supply chains.
Under the Law, "child labor" is defined as any work that is likely to interfere with the health, education, or welfare of a child. The Law applies to companies that have their headquarters or a branch office in the Netherlands and that meet certain financial thresholds. These companies are required to take "due diligence" measures to identify, prevent, and mitigate child labor risks and negative impacts in their own operations and in their global supply chains.
The Law requires companies to disclose information about the due diligence measures they have taken to address child labor risks and impacts in their supply chains. This information must be provided in the form of a statement, which must be made available on the company's website and provided to the Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment upon request.
The Law also establishes a system for the supervision and enforcement of the Act, and provides for the imposition of administrative fines for non-compliance. The Act is enforced by the Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, in cooperation with other government agencies.
This law was passed by the Japanese government in 2017. The Act aims to protect children from exploitation and abuse, and to promote their healthy development.
Under the Act, "child labor" is defined as any work that is likely to interfere with the health, education, or welfare of a child. The Act prohibits the employment of children under the age of 15 in any form of labor, with the exception of certain types of work that are deemed to be light or safe and that are not likely to interfere with the child's education or development.
The Act also establishes a system of special permits that allows children between the ages of 15 and 18 to work in certain types of employment that are deemed to be appropriate for their age and developmental stage. These permits are issued by the government and are subject to certain conditions, including limits on the number of hours that a child can work and the types of work that they can perform.
The Act also establishes a system for the supervision and inspection of child labor, and provides for the issuance of administrative orders and penalties for employers who violate the Act's provisions. The Act is enforced by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare and other government agencies.
The New Zealand Modern Slavery Act
The New Zealand Modern Slavery Act is a law that was passed by the Parliament of New Zealand in 2018. The Act requires certain large businesses and other organizations to report annually on the steps they have taken to address modern slavery in their operations and supply chains.
Under the Act, "modern slavery" is defined as any conduct that constitutes an offense under one or more of the following New Zealand laws: the Slavery Convention, the Forced Labor Convention, the Abolition of Forced Labor Convention, and the Protocol to the Forced Labor Convention. This includes offenses such as slavery, servitude, and human trafficking.
The Act applies to businesses and other organizations that have an annual consolidated revenue of at least NZD 50 million and that carry on any part of their business in New Zealand. These organizations must prepare a modern slavery statement each financial year outlining the actions they have taken to address modern slavery in their operations and supply chains. The statement must be made available on the organization's website and provided to the New Zealand Minister of Immigration upon request.
The Act also establishes a Modern Slavery Working Group within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, which is responsible for promoting compliance with the Act and providing guidance to businesses and other organizations on how to address modern slavery in their operations and supply chains.
The South African Companies Act 2008 contains several provisions that relate to supply chain transparency. These provisions are designed to ensure that companies are accountable for the impact of their business activities on people and the environment.
Section 71 of the Act requires companies to prepare an "integrated report," which must include information about the company's policies and initiatives in relation to social, environmental, and economic sustainability, including its supply chain management practices. The report must also include information about the company's efforts to ensure that its supply chains are socially and environmentally responsible, and about any measures taken to address any adverse impacts that may have occurred.
The Act also contains provisions related to the management and reporting of environmental and social risks and impacts, which may be relevant to supply chain management. For example, Section 1(2) of the Act defines "sustainable development" as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, and Section 71(1)(c) requires companies to consider the environmental and social impact of their business activities and to take steps to minimize any adverse impacts.
Overall, the South African Companies Act 2008 contains a number of provisions that relate to supply chain transparency and the management of environmental and social risks and impacts in business operations and supply chains.
In summary...
There are many other supply chain transparency regulations that have been adopted at the national, regional, and international levels. Some of these regulations focus on specific sectors or industries, while others apply to all companies.
What is Section 54 of the UK Modern Slavery Act?
Section 54 of the UK Modern Slavery Act is a provision of the Act that requires certain large businesses and other organizations to disclose information about their efforts to address modern slavery in their operations and supply chains.
Under the Act, "modern slavery" is defined as any conduct that constitutes an offense under one or more of the following UK laws: the Slavery Convention, the Forced Labor Convention, the Abolition of Forced Labor Convention, and the Protocol to the Forced Labor Convention. This includes offenses such as slavery, servitude, and human trafficking.
Section 54 of the Act applies to businesses and other organizations that have an annual turnover of at least PS36 million and that carry on any part of their business in the UK. These organizations must prepare a modern slavery statement each financial year outlining the actions they have taken to address modern slavery in their operations and supply chains. The statement must be made available on the organization's website and provided to the UK Secretary of State upon request.
The Act also establishes a system for the supervision and enforcement of the Act, and provides for the imposition of fines and other penalties for non-compliance. The Act is enforced by the UK Home Office, in cooperation with other government agencies.
What is the US Corporate Transparency Act?
The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) is intended to give law enforcement and other government agencies more tools to fight corruption, terrorism, money laundering, the flow of drug money, and to protect national security. The CTA does this by giving the necessary government agencies access to beneficial ownership information of corporations, limited liability companies, and similar entities. The beneficial ownership information will be collected and accessed through the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCen).
