Authorities in Liberia must prioritize people over profits, UN-appointed human rights experts said on Friday. The present climate of irresponsible business practices provides profit for companies but does little for people. The rights experts welcomed the Government’s commitment to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
NEW YORK NOVEMBER 13: Authorities in Liberia, as well as businesses operating there, must prioritize people over profits and ensure a responsible corporate environment, UN-appointed human rights experts said on Friday in the capital, Monrovia.
– “The present climate of irresponsible business practices provides profit for companies but does little for people”, members of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights said in a statement marking the conclusion of their first visit to the country.
– “A sustainable and stable peace calls for accountability, transparency, equality, social cohesion, the rule of law, and respect of human rights for all”, they added.
Liberia, located in West Africa, suffered 15 years of conflict between 1989 and 2003, with two civil wars that left nearly 250,000 people dead.
The rights experts welcomed the Government’s commitment to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), which define concrete steps on protection and respect, as well as remedies, should abuses occur.
They also praised the development of a national action plan on business and human rights but were alarmed at the absence of State oversight in various parts of the country.
– “Facilitating foreign investment has superseded the implementation of responsible business practices”, said Working Group Chair Fernanda Hopenhaym.
– “Basic infrastructure and services were lacking, especially outside Monrovia. The general neglect of local communities in development planning is unacceptable”.
Ms. Hopenhaym said the Liberian Government needs to ensure domestic and foreign businesses demonstrate much greater respect for human rights.
During their 10-day visit, the experts met with representatives from the Government, businesses, workers unions, civil society organizations and local communities to discuss opportunities and challenges in implementing the UNGPs.
The experts will present their final report on the Liberia mission to the UN Human Rights Council in June next year.
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