As I’ve mentioned in previous posts (like here) we have a tendency in the United States to look at human rights as other countries’ problems. When we do think of issues related to BHR we tend to examine them within smaller, statute-based lenses (such as worker’s rights, employment rights, safety issues). The problem with using these terms as our only focus is that it takes away from the premise that many of these same issues implicate a fundamental human right (ones held by folks here just as much as abroad).
Finally that message is coming home. Literally.
On Thursday, April 24th, members of the United Nations Working Group for business and human rights came to West Virginia. The visit was part of the Working Group’s official country visit to the United States. The purpose of the visit was to gather information regarding how businesses and states are implementing the UN’s Guiding Principles, so as part of their visit, the Working Group members met with representatives from federal and state agencies, business and industry as well as members from civil society.
West Virginia was chosen as one of the states that the Working Group visited because of its mining industry. The WG wanted to understand the impact this industry has on human rights issues. According to the initial press statement they issued at the end of their country visit, the results were eye-opening:
“In the extractives sector, the experts noted the allegations of significant human rights impacts of surface mining, particularly the rights to health and water, and the deep divisions between stakeholders on the most effective ways of assessing and addressing the impacts.”
In it’s full press release the Working Group also noted that: “coalmining provides jobs, revenue and energy production. It is an activity supported by many mineworkers and trade unions.”
I was fortunate enough to join members of the Working Group for part of their visit to West Virginia. I was present when members of the community in Lindytown and Twilight told their stories on the impact of mining on their lives and their communities. The stories were heart-felt and poignant.
Everyone recognizes that there is no easy solution to BHR issues and that the narrative is a complicated one. Business representatives point to the positive impact their industry has on economic development and jobs in the region. Government representatives typically discuss how hard it is to monitor their areas of responsibility and how a lack of resources prevents them from thoroughly investigating abuses. Community members talk about how their residents are dying of cancer at an unheard of rate.
All of these things are true.
What is also true is that the nature of these problems requires us to be creative and work together for a solution. To sometimes sacrifice short-terms gains for long-term solutions. And to always remember the human element in the midst of abstract talk of expanded risk assessment and implementation.
In the end, business and human rights issues are about the human element. It is about how industry, society and government can work together to make us thrive. That’s equally true in West Virginia as it is in Bangladesh.
Hopefully, we won’t forget it.
The Working Group’s full press statement on their U.S. country visit can be found here.
Photo explanations: Photo 1: an example of a mountain range that has been subject to mountain top removal. Photos 2-4 residents of Lindytown and Twilight discuss the impacts of coalmining on their community. Photos taken by Vivian Stockman
Next week: An early look at coalmining from a human rights lens.
