Overview

It is widely known that the state is obliged to protect and preserve human rights, as it possesses control over all governmental organs and is also authorized to regulate its citizens. However, similar roles are also played by businesses, only in a more limited sense, as they have the authority to regulate their employees and to have a significant impact upon surrounding communities as a result of their activities. Thus, businesses sometimes become involved in activities which eventually lead to human-rights violations, such as environmental degradation, exploitation of labor and so forth.