Legal

The CCC is investigating legal strategies to compel companies to respect labour rights when operating abroad. CCC activities in this regard have included actions, public campaigns, and lobbying directed at governments and international institutions.

There have been several activities in the legal-field:

Feb 2002 , The International Council on Human Rights Policy published their report ''Beyond voluntarism: Human rights and the developing international legal obligations of companies''.

Dec 2001 , Irene has organised a seminar on international law and corporate liability. The reader of the conference can be ordered by Peter Pennartz at Irene: PeterPennartz@irene-network.nl.

In Oct 2001 , the Hamburg University of Economics and Politics and the Hans-Böckler-Foundation organised a seminar in relation to a research project on codes of conduct and monitoring. Included in their report are some interesting articles regarding the legal issue:

• "Legal and Hard Law measures related to private standards - The German Case", Eva Kocher
• Wolfgang Voegeli Comments on Eva Kocher’s presentation.

In March 2000 , International Restructuring Education Network Europe (IRENE) organised a seminar on corporate liability and workers' rights held at the University of Warwick, UK. Participants discussed legal possibilities, initiatives and strategies for civil society.

In January 1999 the European Parliament (EP) voted in favor of a resolution to promote the accountability of European-based multinationals by supporting initiatives in the field of codes of conduct. The so-called Howitt resolution calls on the European Commission to establish a model Code of Conduct and to set up a European Monitoring Platform. Until this has been reached, special rapporteurs will be appointed and annual hearings held to discuss specific cases, of both good and bad conduct, in the European Parliament.

In 1998 the CCC organised, together with the Permanent People's Tribunal, a session on workers and consumers rights in the garment Industry.