Colombia gets broad coalition on human rights

Businesses have become involved in a project to promote human rights and humanitarian law in Colombia.

Guias Colombia is a coalition of companies, NGOs and the Colombian government that will aim to establish guidelines and encourage further dialogue on ‘sensitive issues pertaining to business operations, human rights and international humanitarian law’.

The project’s preliminary pilot code, first produced in 2006 by FIP, the Colombian pro-peace NGO, has now been ratified and expanded as a ‘master document’ outlining the basic principles of internal governance to which all signatories are collectively committed.
 
The guidelines include advice on security issues, labour rights, communities, transparency, anti-corruption, environmental concerns, and the creation of grievance mechanisms.

Founding business affiliates include Coca-Cola, the energy company Isagen, and Nestle. John Ruggie, the United Nations special representative on business and human rights, has also been involved.