Introduction
Human rights are moral principles or norms, which describe certain standards of human behavior, and are regularly protected as legal rights in municipal and international law. They are commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights "to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being," (Human Rights) The growing impact of business enterprises have given rise to a debate about the roles and responsibilities of such actors with regard to human rights. Profit driven companies usually minimize their spending toward social welfare to meet annual earning target, expanding the business or even pay more dividend. Continuing to violate human rights may cause the company to lose both its reputation and legal fare. Being socially responsible not only provide sustainable business models,…show more content… It is one of the four largest mining companies in the world and strongly represented in Australia and North America, and also have significant businesses in Asia, Europe, Africa and South America. Its major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, minerals, energy, and iron ore (About Rio Tinto) Rio Tinto has signed the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, meaning Rio Tinto have to realign corporate policies and procedures with internationally recognized human rights principles in the provision of governing their security for their operations but there are some human rights related cases against Rio Tinto.(Rio Tinto plc)
Cases against Rio Tinto
Norges Bank, KLP and FDC had discontinued their investment with Rio Tinto in relation to human rights issues and environmental damage. (Rio Tinto plc) One of the major lawsuit faced by Rio Tinto was Human Rights Violations in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL) is owned 53.83 percent by Rio Tinto Limited. BCL run the business from 1972 and suspended in 1989 by militant activity. (Bougainville Copper Limited: “About the Company”) In September 2000, Residents