In recent years, there has been a growing concern among democratic institutions, civil society organizations, and citizens regarding the violation of human rights by major economic powers. This issue was highlighted by Chilean president Salvador Allende in his final speech before the United Nations General Assembly in December 1972, where he warned of the dangers of a worldwide concentration of power and wealth.
One example of proactive measures taken to address this issue is the Parliament of Catalonia’s motion in December 2013, urging the government to create a working group to raise awareness among Catalan businesses operating abroad. This initiative aimed to ensure that Catalan companies align their actions with the principles of the United Nations regarding human rights.
Subsequently, in December 2014, Law 16/2014 of external action and relations with the European Union was passed, emphasizing the promotion of peace, human rights, and sustainable development in Catalonia’s international activities. This law aimed to ensure consistency between economic internationalization efforts and human rights principles.
Civil society organizations in Catalonia have also played a crucial role in advocating for human rights abroad. The Taula Catalana Coordinating Group for Peace and Human Rights in Colombia has been actively involved in denouncing the social and environmental impacts of port megaprojects in Buenaventura, Colombia. Their efforts led to a study on the effects of Catalan corporation Grup TCB in Buenaventura, which was presented to the Parliament of Catalonia in 2015.
Following this, a Catalan delegation visited Buenaventura in April 2016 to establish cooperation and solidarity links with the city. A working group on business and human rights was formed to propose concrete measures to address the negative impacts of Catalan multinationals abroad. This group presented their proposals to the Catalan Parliament, emphasizing the need for mechanisms to ensure corporate accountability in terms of human, social, economic, labor, and environmental rights.
The Catalan initiative aligns with international efforts to hold transnational corporations accountable for human rights violations. Representatives of the Catalan working group attended the Intergovernmental Working Group of the Human Rights Council of the United Nations in Geneva, where similar proposals were discussed. The group’s maturity and commitment to human rights were acknowledged in this international context.
In November 2016, the Commission of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Parliament of Catalonia unanimously approved the creation of an Impact Assessment Center for Catalan Business Enterprises Abroad. This center will have binding instruments to ensure compliance with human rights legislation, with the participation of civil society, government, and parliament. The implementation of this center is crucial in prioritizing human, labor, and environmental rights over corporate profits and power.
Overall, Catalonia’s efforts to promote human rights in its international activities demonstrate a commitment to ethical business practices and accountability. By collaborating with civil society organizations and international bodies, Catalonia is taking proactive steps to ensure that human rights are respected by Catalan actors operating beyond their borders.