Human Rights, Humanitarian Assistance,Refugees
Japan-Thailand Joint Seminar on Business and Human Rights
December 18, 2020
On December 16, Japan-Thailand Joint Seminar on Business and Human Rights, co-hosted by the Embassy of Japan in Thailand and the Ministry of Justice of Thailand was held online.
In response to the growing attention of the international community towards respecting human rights in business activities, Japan launched its National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, as one of the measures towards achieving the SDGs. Through its formulation and implementation, Japan makes efforts to protect and promote human rights for society as a whole, including the international community and ensure and enhance the international competitiveness of Japanese business enterprises.
In December 2019, Thailand developed and published its "First National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights(2019-2022)". As a hub of market, production, and distribution in the region, increasing numbers of business enterprises including Japanese business enterprises have operated in Thailand, and the business and human rights agenda has been drawing attention.
The Summary of the seminar is as follows.
In response to the growing attention of the international community towards respecting human rights in business activities, Japan launched its National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, as one of the measures towards achieving the SDGs. Through its formulation and implementation, Japan makes efforts to protect and promote human rights for society as a whole, including the international community and ensure and enhance the international competitiveness of Japanese business enterprises.
In December 2019, Thailand developed and published its "First National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights(2019-2022)". As a hub of market, production, and distribution in the region, increasing numbers of business enterprises including Japanese business enterprises have operated in Thailand, and the business and human rights agenda has been drawing attention.
The Summary of the seminar is as follows.
Summary
Session 1 (Working language: Japanese)
In this session, Mr. TOMIYAMA Mikito, Director of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs Division, Foreign Policy Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan introduced Japan's National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, which was launched on October 16, 2020. Following this, Professor. HAMAMOTO Shotaro, Graduate School of Law, Kyoto University delivered a lecture on recent trends in business and human rights by referring to foreign court cases and on the importance of corporate efforts to engage in business and human rights.
Session 2 (Working language: English)
In this session, starting with opening remarks in a video message by Mr. Wisit Wisitsora-at, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice of Thailand, Ms. Nareeluc Paechaiyaphum, Director of International Human Rights Division, Department of Rights and Liberty Protection, Ministry of Justice of Thailand, presented an overview of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights of Thailand and Mr. TOMIYAMA presented Japan's National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights respectively. Following this, Professor. HAMAMOTO Shotaro shared recent trends in business and human rights by referring to foreign court cases and the importance of both Japan and Thailand's governmental efforts to engage in business and human rights.