Challenges of the relation between human rights and business activity as condition for sustainability: diagnostic study in the sector “Sabana Centro” based on the example of the dairy companies Alpina and Alquería

Abstract

In the global context, with multinational enterprises operating in various countries, human rights (HR) receive more attention, after multiple scandals related to unsafe working condi tions, child labor or pollution of the environment. There is no global institution to regulate and control the activities of multinational enterprises, and their negative human rights impacts (Schrempf-Stirling & Wettstein, 2015). The Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (Guiding Principles) define the roles of states and companies more specifically. States have the duty to protect, respect and fulfill HR. Companies are required to respect HR, regardless of their size, industry or location. Another important pillar of the Guiding Principles is the access to remediation for victims of human rights abuses (UN, 2011). The National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (referred to as PNA, the Spanish abbreviation) is the translation of the Guiding Principles into the national context of Colombia. One of the specific objectives of the PNA, which focuses on the particular situation of Colom bia, is to achieve a durable peace in Colombia and to implement public policies to maintain the peace (Santos et al., 2015). The PNA refers to different international standards, like the UN Global Compact (GC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Sustainability and Hu man Rights are directly linked to each other, as “respect for and enforcement of human rights is a precondition for sustainable development.” (United Nations Association in Canada, 2013)