An
international conference entitled “Business and Human Rights: Corporate Social
Responsibility” was held on June 17 in cooperation with the Human Rights
Defender of the Republic of Armenia and the Council of Europe. The event was
organized within the framework of the “Human Rights and Environmentally
Responsible Business Practices” project.
The
aim of the conference was to promote dialogue on the protection of human rights
in the field of business, as well as the application of international standards
in the field of corporate social responsibility (CSR), to study the experiences
of several countries—France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium—in ensuring
human rights in business relations and in the field of corporate social
responsibility.
The
Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia, Ms. Anahit Manasyan delivered
an opening speech.
The
Defender emphasized the importance of forming such a platform for identifying
existing problems in the sector and finding ways to solve them through joint
efforts.
“This
conference is truly very important: we are referring problems that are almost
absent from the public agenda or are discussed from a completely different
perspective. There is also no proper awareness about them. It is important to
create a platform where it will be possible to organize open and inclusive
discussions with the involvement of state bodies and the private sector
regarding mechanisms for protecting rights in the business sector. We must
ensure that everyone’s voice is heard in this field,” said Ms. Anahit Manasyan.
The
Defender also referred the existing problems in terms of a responsible approach
to human rights in the sector, emphasizing that as a result of the monitoring
carried out by the staff and the complaints received, numerous problems are
recorded both in terms of ensuring the rights of employees and the lack of a
responsible attitude towards the environment.
"These
are not one-day problems, but systemic issues accumulated over the years. For
example, unacceptable methods of demolition of buildings, ensuring conditions
for workers to rest, meet safety and hygiene requirements, and the
implementation of strikes and other rights. Existing structures require
profound reforms, including in terms of improving inspection bodies and the
general culture of supervision," Ms. Anahit Manasyan emphasized.
Issues
related to equality and anti-discrimination in the workplace were also
discussed, with a particular focus on the lack of appropriate working
conditions for vulnerable groups, especially persons with disabilities.
During
the conference, a message from Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of
Armenia, Mr. Mher Grigoryan was presented, highlighting the importance of
developing a state policy for the protection of human rights in the business
sector and applying international experience. A welcoming speech was also
delivered via video message by Ms. Claire Ovey, Director of Human Rights, DGI
of Council of Europe (video message).
The
panel discussions were attended by Mr. Babken Tunyan, Chairman of the Standing
Committee on Economic Affairs of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia,
Deputy Minister of Justice Ms. Anna Karapetyan, Deputy Minister of Economy Ms.
Lilya Sirakanian, Deputy Minister of Environment Mr. Ara Mkrtchyan, Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Armenia
H.E. Ms. Marieke Harriet Monroy-Winter, representatives of state bodies, civil
society, diplomatic missions accredited in Armenia, international
organizations, lawyers and international experts.
Panel
discussions were held within the framework of the event, during which
representatives of state bodies, lawyers and international experts discussed a
number of important issues related to the field.
The
first panel discussed the potential impact of international investments on
human rights and the environment, as well as the need for legal regulations and
the possibilities of their inclusion in the framework of investment policy.
Examples were presented from the experience of France and Germany, with special
attention paid to the precedents of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)
and their applicability in this context.
The
second panel addressed the protection of human rights in the business sector.
Participants analyzed legal challenges that arise in business activities,
including transparency and predictability in tax policy, mechanisms for
resolving investor-state disputes, and potential improvements in legal remedies
for the protection of rights.
Within
the framework of the third panel, the conference served as an interdisciplinary
platform for policymakers, lawyers, business and investment sector
representatives to discuss how to ensure full protection of human rights in a
competitive and rapidly developing economic environment.
The
HRDO Staff of the Republic of Armenia presented the most frequently reported
issues, particularly those related to the application of tax legislation,
administrative procedures, lack of awareness, customs clearance processes,
calculation of customs duties, and several other areas.
Ms.
Anahit Manasyan expressed special gratitude to the CoE partners for effective
cooperation, to state authorities, representatives of civil society, as well as
to international partners for their willingness to solve the problems through
joint efforts.
Concluding
her speech, the Human Rights Defender emphasized that the problems in the field
do not concern only individual organizations. They are issues of universal
importance, which require a systemic approach and full state commitment.
Ms.
Anahit Manasyan underscored that the existing issues in the sector must remain
in the focus of both public authorities and the private sector, ensuring the
rule of law, social responsibility, and equality.
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