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Integrating Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Efforts: Enhancing Sustainable Business Practices

Author: Akaki Kukhaleishvili

Business and Human Rights Manager

UN Global Compact Network Georgia

In today’s global landscape, relationships between business practices, human rights issues, and corruption can lead to challenges and opportunities in sustainable development. The world faces complex social and economic problems, so fighting corruption and protecting human rights are closely connected[1]. Both issues have similar causes and impact societies in related ways, which shows that we need to understand these connections better. This article examines the links between business practices, human rights violations, and corruption and suggests a practical way to tackle these issues together. By addressing these challenges, organisations can improve their management and help promote economic stability, fairness, and environmental health. Combining human rights with anti-corruption efforts helps businesses build more robust operations, gain the trust of stakeholders, and support the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The connection between corruption and human rights is becoming more recognised by businesses and human rights organisations. The United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights emphasises integrating human rights and anti-corruption efforts within business practices. Their work highlights the interconnections between the business and human rights agenda, underscoring the necessity for coherent policies that address both issues simultaneously[2]. A policy report by the Universal Rights Group (URG) provides empirical evidence showing that corruption significantly impairs the enjoyment of human rights. This interplay suggests that strengthening respect for human rights can be one of the most effective ways to prevent corruption by addressing its root causes[3].

Corruption, such as bribery and favouritism, damages trust in institutions and creates unequal access to resources, often leading to human rights violations, especially for marginalised groups[4]. In these situations, corruption weakens government institutions and undermines the rule of law. In business, corruption harms workers’ rights and impacts communities affected by corrupt practices, ultimately damaging the availability, quality, and accessibility of goods and services that states must provide to meet their international human rights obligations[5]. In response to demands for accountability, many companies have established anti-corruption programs that comply with laws and promote ethical behaviour in their operations[6]. At the same time, businesses are increasingly expected to respect human rights by conducting due diligence to identify and address potential human rights violations[7]. The UN is also committed to fighting corruption as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 16, which aims to create just, peaceful, and inclusive societies[8]. By tackling corruption, the international community can help protect human rights. This focus on both anti-corruption and human rights shows the importance of being proactive in both areas, as improvements in one can benefit the other. Promoting transparency and accountability helps strengthen corporate governance and protect human rights.[9]

Understanding the interplay of corruption and human rights is crucial for developing effective strategies to combat corruption and promote the protection of human rights. By recognising these connections, stakeholders can foster more holistic approaches that address the systemic issues at play, leading to more robust governance and improved outcomes for vulnerable populations.

The UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights underlines that corruption leads to serious human rights abuses. These include weakened services in public procurement, exploitation of vulnerable communities in land acquisition, and limited access to healthcare in the health and extractive sectors.[10] For instance, selling fake or expired medicines can hurt people’s health, especially those who are already vulnerable, such as children or the elderly. Additionally, when companies take land for projects like farming, mining, or building roads, corruption can cause people to lose their homes and livelihoods. For example, a farmer might be forced off their land so a mining company can extract minerals, leaving them without a place to live or work. This situation can force families to move to crowded cities, where they struggle to find new jobs and support themselves.

In light of these issues, it’s clear that tackling corruption is essential for safeguarding human rights and promoting social equity. Addressing corruption protects vulnerable populations and strengthens public trust in institutions. Without transparency and accountability, the cycle of exploitation and hardship continues, perpetuating inequality and undermining development. Furthermore, reforms that prioritise the rights and voices of affected communities can lead to more sustainable outcomes. By fostering an environment of ethical governance and ensuring equitable access to resources, societies can create a foundation for lasting change and resilience against future abuses.

In order to effectively address the links between human rights and corruption, states and businesses must align their policies. This involves integrating action plans for business and human rights with anti-corruption strategies. Doing so can enhance accountability and promote responsible practices. Companies should also include anti-corruption measures in their human rights due diligence processes to identify better and manage risks[11].

Using frameworks like the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines is essential, as they can explicitly include anti-corruption measures for ethical operations. Legislative action is needed, too; EU lawmakers are encouraged to integrate anti-corruption into human rights and environmental due diligence laws for more transparent policies.

Different sectors face unique challenges, so tailored strategies are essential. For example, companies bidding for government contracts should commit to anti-corruption and human rights standards. This approach helps address specific risks in various industries. The relationship between business, human rights, and anti-corruption presents challenges and opportunities for sustainable development. All stakeholders—governments, businesses, and civil society—must work together to find solutions.


[1] Anne Peters, Human rights and corruption: Problems and potential of individualizing a systemic problem, International Journal of Constitutional Law, Volume 22, Issue 2, April 2024, Pages 538–561, https://doi.org/10.1093/icon/moae038

[2] United Nations Human Rights Council. (2020). Connecting the business and human rights and the anticorruption agendas (A/HRC/44/43). United Nations. Available at: https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/g20/150/03/pdf/g2015003.pdf

[3] https://www.universal-rights.org/focus-areas/beyond-the-council/business-and-corruption/ 

[4] Bullock, J., & Jenkins, M. (2020). Corruption and marginalisation. Transparency International Anti-Corruption Helpdesk. https://knowledgehub.transparency.org/assets/uploads/helpdesk/Corruption-and-marginalisation.pdf

[5] United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (n.d.). Anti-corruption module 7: Corruption and human rights. https://grace.unodc.org/grace/uploads/documents/academics/Anti-Corruption_Module_7_Corruption_and_Human_Rights.pdf

[6]Linking Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Compliance. (2016). Retrieved from https://d306pr3pise04h.cloudfront.net/docs/issues_doc%2Fhuman_rights%2FHuman_Rights_and_Anti_Corruption_Compliance+.pdf

[7]Id 6.

[8] Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. (n.d.). Corruption and human rights. https://www.ohchr.org/en/good-governance/corruption-and-human-rights

[9] Connecting the anti-corruption and human rights agendas: A guide for business and employers’ organisations. (2020). Retrieved from https://25159535.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/25159535/website/documents/pdf/Anti-Corruption/Connecting%20the%20anti-corruption%20and%20human%20rights%20agendas%20-%20Guide%20for%20business%20and%20employers%E2%80%99%20organizations%20-%20September%202020.pdf

[10] United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2019). United Nations anti-corruption toolkit (2nd ed.). https://www.unodc.org/documents/corruption/Toolkit_ed2.pdf

[11] Mayer Brown. (2021, May). Business and human rights: The corruption dimension. Retrieved from https://www.mayerbrown.com/pt/insights/blogs/2021/05/business-and-human-rights-the-corruption-dimension

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