Mr President,
Sweden aligns herself with the statement made by the Czech Republic on behalf of the European Union, and extends our gratitude for the reports presented by all three rapporteurs.
Sweden thanks the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Professor John Ruggie, for his important work, and for his latest report which contains an interesting and constructive array of examples of how to operationalise the framework outlined in his 2008 report on “protect, respect and remedy”. We see the report as an important step towards the realisation of a framework safeguarding human rights in the context of business and corporate action.
The current economic crisis adds an extra urgency to the Special representative’s work. Most countries, including the majority of developing countries, are hard hit by its effect. In your report you underline that the current crisis represent both challenges and opportunities. Which are the policy measures by States that you see as particularly urgent in the current situation in order to promote respect for human rights and accountability in the business and human rights domain?
The responsibility to uphold the respect for human rights rests with the state. For Sweden, it is important that this fundamental principle of the international human rights regime, which is so important to the individual’s right to effective remedy and enjoyment of rights, is clearly acknowledged in the report. At the same time, we acknowledge that there are currently a limited number of areas, mostly in countries ravaged by conflict, where the State effectively has ceased to function or does not exercise sufficient control. As you state in your report, it is unsurprising that the most egregious corporate-related abuses typically occur in these situations. We welcome your intention to work together with informal groups of home and host States to generate ideas about effective approaches and tools that States could employ to prevent such abuse.
Moreover, we warmly welcome your focus on access to remedy as an essential component of the international human rights regime. This issue is complicated, and we encourage you to keep trying to find ways for individuals to address their grievances in the corporate sphere. Once again, let me extend my Government’s warm appreciation for your work.
Thank you, Mr President