Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung has disclosed that the launch of the National Action Plan On Business and Human Rights signifies a major victory in Liberia’s advocacy quest for the protection of human rights in the business sector for many years.
Reflecting on the past , he told the gathering that over the years, there have been several instances of bad labor practices and abuse of human rights against employees and laborers in the public and private sectors and for so too long, they have called for the formulation and implementation of policies and laws to regulate widespread human rights abuses by businesses across the nation.
According to him, the lauch of the action plan on Wednesday August 14, 2024 was an answer to such call and an expression of the government’s commitment to promote responsible business practices in all sectors of the society.
He said that while it is true that the government continue to make the case for more investments in the economy to expand the private sector and create jobs for the people, he wants existing and potential investors to put the welfare of the people at the center of their business operations.
“This protection of human rights goes beyond laborers and employees, it must capture members of the community who bear the greatest burdens and consequences from bad business operations”, he emphasized.
Vice President Koung stressed that as Liberia makes history as the 4th country in Africa to adopt such a visionary plan, they should do so with an understanding that the wellbeing of the citizens is the only pathway for achieving sustainable development.
He pointed out that the adoption of the plan will enhance the Nation’s standing on human rights and guarantee the protection of communities and laborers from the excesses of bad business practices.
“We must urgently implement this plan to ensure the quest for economic development does not continue to undermine human rights, A society which seeks economic growth at the detriment of its citizens will eventually decline”, he noted.
Making reference to some real time issues, he stated that as a politician with business expertise, he has observed that the present climate of irresponsible business practices provide profit for companies but does little for the people stating that a sustainable and stable business environment calls for accountability, transparency, equality, social cohesion, the rule of law, and respect of human rights for all.
“We must not be occupied with facilitating investments and ignore the implementation of responsible business practices. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the direct investments we seek create more good than harm for our people and the general neglect of local communities in development planning is unacceptable, and that narrative must be changed by the adoption of this action plan”, he reechoed.
Acknowledging their roles as leaders, VP Koung stated that they have a mandate to ensure domestic and foreign business enterprises demonstrate much greater respect for human rights and they must guarantee transparency and meaningful participation of affected communities in decisions regarding business activities.
Moreover, he wants the action plan to also protect human rights defenders, trade union members, and community dwellers who may be vulnerable to attacks and intimidation for speaking out against business-related human rights abuses.
“Those who seek to hold businesses accountable need to be respected and taken seriously.Quite recently, we have witnessed protests from community dwellers against some of our concession companies. These protests not only undermine our Nation’s peace and security, but also scare potential investors”, he said.
According to him, he holds the opinion that the security of any concession company or business enterprise lies in the hands of residents of the community and once the community experience the benefits of business operations, they feel obligated to provide protection.
He told the gathering that in all of his attempts to solve crisis between the community and business enterprises, he has always emphasized that the people are the real owners of the state and its resources adding that the Country is serious about improving their living conditions, they must be included and enjoy the ultimate benefits.
It is time he lamented that leaders see it as their obligation to create an environment for investment and strike a balance between economic growth and economic development nothing that they can not only focus on the taxes that come through business enterprises, but their role is to also protect the people who are the true beneficiaries.
He emphasized further that their roles as duty bearers is to ensure that all government institutions dealing with business, the Judiciary, together with the Independent National Commission on Human Rights have the necessary resources and training, to provide effective oversight of corporate behavior and corporate accountability.
“This national action plan needs to be fully supported and implemented as such, I therefore recommend a national dialogue between the crafters of this plan and the business community, to create a sense of awareness on respective roles and responsibilities adding that the launch of the plan is not just historic, but it gives hope to the people that the Government is concerned about their wellbeing”, he asusred them.
The Liberian Vice President at the same time sounded a warning that businesses that continue to engage in bad labor practices must be held accountable indicating that, it is President Boakai’s vision that we cannot do “Business as Usual”.
For Liberia , he stated to attain sustainable development, such a plan is necessary for the promotion of the rule of law.
“I commend all stakeholders for working very hard to produce this action plan, and I remain hopeful that we will have the courage and patriotism needed for its full implementation”, he added.
Also Speaking at the launching ceremony was the Country Representative of the office of the High Commission for Human Rights in Liberia Christian Mukosa who pledged the OHCHR’s support and commitment to the implementation of the action plan.
He encouraged the Government and other stakeholders to see as key the implementation of the plan for the benefit of the people.
Mr. Mukosa wants more activities to be carryout which will help in the implementation of the plan.
The document he stressed is very rich and has captured all of the necessary issues ralative to the sector as such it should be supported and implemented gradually so that before the end of the five years, the needed results can be achieved.
The OHCHR Boss at the same time hailed the government of Liberia for their williness and political will demonstrated from the beginning of the plan to the official launch on Wednesday August 14, 2024.
The plan he stated was a collective effort as such he called on all relevant stakeholders, partners and the Civil Society organizations to work together in order for them to implement to plan for the benefit of the larger society.
At the same time, Justice Minister N.Oswald Tweh said the launch of Liberia’s National Action Plan On Business and Human Rights signifies the Government’s united commitment towards upholding human dignity, fostering a just business environmnent, and charting the course for
sustainable development in the Country.
According to him , said milestone is not merely a testament to the government’s adherence to the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, but a vivid illustration of the administration’s steadfast dedication to embedding human rights into
the very fabric of the business practices.
“Our National Action Plan is more than a policy; it is a declaration of our
commitment to ensuring that business operations within our borders
respect and promote the fundamental rights of every individual. It
reflects our pledge to create a business climate where economic
activities are intertwined with ethical considerations and social
responsibilities, leading to a harmonious balance between profit and
human dignity”, he emphasized.
He told the gathering that under the leadership of President, Joseph N. Boakai,
the current administration has resolutely championed the cause of human
rights in business thereby emphasizing the importance of sustainable
economic development, indicating further that true progress is achieved only
when businesses and human rights coexist in a mutually beneficial and respectful manner.
Minister Tweh commended all stakeholders who played a pivotal role in shaping such action plan, ” Your invaluable insights and
relentless support have been instrumental”, he added.
He reminded officials of government that as they embark on the implementation journey of the action plan that it demands their collective effort,, continued collaboration,and vigilance.
“We must work hand in hand, ensuring that businesses operate transparently, ethically, and responsibly. It is through our
shared commnitment to monitoring, evaluating, and enhancing these
efforts that we can truly uphold human rights and foster a respectful
and inclusive business environment”, he said.
As for the Labor Ministry represented by Deputy Minister Steven S. Kolubah vowed to work along with other sector Ministries and Agencies on order to fully implement the action plan.
Re-echoed the Ministry of Labor’s committemnt to the process in ensuring that the workforce of the Country are supported and protected to the core.
Meanwhile, the Civil Society who has also been a key partner and participants to the document praised the government for such milestone achievement.
According to Richard Sam ,Regional Program officer, Sustainable Development Initiative, the plan marks a new day for the people.
He also reemphasized the need for more involvement of civil society actors in the full implementation of the plan.
As a means of showing progress towards the plan’s implementation, Mr. Sam assured the body that they will monitor the process with focus of ensuring that transparency and accountability is followed as part of the plan.
