USCIB dedicates its 2021 Human Rights Day statement to the memory of Professor John Ruggie, a human rights champion and visionary behind the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
New York, N.Y., December 10, 2021 — On the occasion of Human Rights Day today, the United States Council for International Business (USCIB) issued the following statement:
USCIB joins with the global community today in commemorating the seventy-third Human Rights Day. On this day in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which clarifies the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to, as a human being – regardless of race, color, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Human rights protections extend to LGBTIQ people too.
Human rights remain a timeless priority and USCIB especially welcomes the theme chosen for 2021: Equality – Reducing Inequalities, Advancing Human Rights. Article 1 of the UDHR states that “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” Yet, in far too many places in the world, discrimination and inequality persists and hinders individuals from full and equal participation in society. Fighting discrimination and inequality requires redoubling our shared efforts to tackle challenges like deep-rooted forms of discrimination which continue to affect the most vulnerable people in our societies.
We all have a role to play in advancing equality and human rights, and for companies this includes undertaking responsible business practices and working to demonstrate their corporate responsibility to respect human rights as set forth in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. As we look ahead to the New Year and continued progress towards recovery, USCIB looks forward with optimism for our shared priority – in collaboration with governments, business and civil society – to advance human rights, non-discrimination, prosperity, and inclusion for all.
About USCIB
USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development, and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and regulatory coherence. Its members include U.S.-based global companies and professional services firms from every sector of our economy, with operations in every region of the world. As the U.S. affiliate of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Organization of Employers (IOE) and Business at OECD (BIAC), USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide and works to facilitate international trade and investment. More at www.uscib.org.
