convenors: Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia
coordinator: Asmin Fransiska (Lecturer of Human Rights Law and Dean of Faculty Law Atma Jaya University)
moderators: Dr. Yanti Fristikawati
• speakers :
• Prof. mr. (Martijn) MW Scheltema (Professor of Business Law, Erasmus University Rotterdam,
Partner at Pels Rijcken law firm) Download here
• Dr. Kristianto P.H. Silalahi, S.H., M.Hum, (Lecturer of Environmental Law, The Law Faculty of
Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia) Download here
• Erlinda Ekaputri (Country Director of Wildlife Works Indonesia) Download here
rapporteur: Tivana Candini, S.H., LL.M (Lecturer of Business Law, The law Faculty of Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia)
objectives:
• To discuss the UN Guidelines on Business and Human Rights, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and other UN human rights instruments, as well as the current EU Directive on Sustainability Due Diligence; and the promotion of sustainable and responsible business practices.
• To identify cases and good practices in order to find pathways to sustainability and human rights protection, in the era of digitalization and post-pandemic society.
• To develop ideas of accountability and sustainability of state and
business sectors.
description:
There is a clear connection between Human Rights and business practices regarding the need for the protection of vulnerable groups. The responsibilities among States and Business activities and management holders are increasingly recognized at the international level, through many guidelines and international agreements. The UN Guidelines on Business and Human Rights state that both governments and companies have a responsibility to protect human rights and must take measures to prevent human rights violations against society, including the environment as their habitat and as a social determinant.
One of the challenges for the business sector is how to prevent and reduce conflicts between companies and indigenous people or other local communities. Palm oil companies are a notable example. At least since 2015, there have been 776 conflicts in Indonesia that involve palm oil companies. The causes for conflicts vary, but a majority of complaints concern land grabbing, illegal activities conducted by the companies, unheard voices of the local society, discrimination, labor rights, violence against women and children, and environmental issues.
This panel will discuss the UN Guidelines on Business and Human Rights, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), the UN Documents on Labor, Women and Children Protection, as well as the current EU Directive on Sustainability Due Diligence and the impact of these instruments on fostering sustainable business practices and the responsibility they assign toward companies to protect human rights and the environment. Whereas the Indonesian government issued the Indonesia Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) standards, the questions are to what extent does ISPO comply with international standards and what could be improved? In addition, the panel is eager to find a balance between the stakeholders.
The panel has the objectives to identify legal innovation on economic and social solutions from the best practices in Indonesia, The Netherlands, and other countries and to find pathways to sustainable business practices that include human rights protection, which is especially urgent in the era of digitalization and the postpandemic society.