Corporate accountability in human rights: Bridging the legal gaps

Foreign investors’ corporate role in human rights has been on the limelight due to the rising dominance of MNCs in the world economy. This paper presents the lack of oversight mechanisms within the current international bodies of law which enable MNCs to undertake operations without appropriate measures being taken against them for violation of human rights, most especially in areas where the rule of law is still growing. The study, examining the important frameworks, including the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, offers a concept of the frameworks’ advantages, drawbacks, and loophole with reference to uncovering corporate misconduct. Top-down cases from various industries including extractive industries, manufacturing, and agriculture, provide clear examples of labour rights abuse and violation, environmental pollution, and forced eviction of people from their ancestral homes. The research argues that there should be strict binding norms in international law to fill governance gaps and ensure that businesses respect human rights. It is then suggested that collaborative International Co-Governance is a possible way of delivering justice to the affected people. The study’s findings extend current knowledge about positive change in corporate culture for ethical global conduct.