A new global reporting platform for recording cases of maritime human rights abuses aims to promote corporate social responsibility (CSR).
The platform, created by Human Rights at Sea (HRAS) and the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC), will highlight pertinent international cases from the shipping and fisheries industries and publish cases relevant to identifying best CSR practices for companies operating in the sector.
Phil Bloomer, executive director of the BHRRC, said: “From working conditions of ship workers to modern-day-slavery in the fishing industry, to violent attacks by pirates and others, to environmental contamination affecting human health, the industry is in need of norms, and standards to address these issues effectively.”
Advocacy
This is the first such dedicated international maritime reporting platform to be linked with the global reporting hub hosted by the BHRRC and is anticipated to help continue the ongoing advocacy efforts centred around highlighting human rights abuses at sea.
At the time of launch, there are references to over 50 international companies and multiple links to corporate cases, which can be identified using the online search function across the maritime industry, fishing industry and ship-breaking resource pages.
Information will be available on specific labour rights issues and human rights abuses in the maritime industry with a focus on three sub-categories: seafaring, fisheries and shipbreaking.
David Hammond, founder and trustee of HRAS, commented: “This is another positive step forwards for the ongoing advocacy drive aiming to tackle the current lack of transparency in the maritime supply chain, particularly when it comes to identifying and highlighting cases of abuse at sea.”
