16 September | 12:45-13:45 ICT

Are South Korea and Thailand Ready to Take the Lead on Mandatory Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence in Asia?

Organized by:

Manushya Foundation
FORUM-ASIA
KTNC Watch

Background

At a time where the European Union is rolling back on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive in the name of simplification and competition, South Korea and Thailand are taking steps to push for mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence. South Korea's recent reintroduction to Parliament of the 2023 mHREDD bill and Thailand’s current development of a mHREDD bill are sending a positive message in this troubled time. Can South Korea and Thailand lead the way to strong corporate accountability in Asia?

Under the track ‘Policy Coherence and Regulatory Evolution’, by reaffirming the need to move beyond voluntary commitments and National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights which have been ineffective in safeguarding human rights and the environment from corporate abuses, this session aims at exploring South Korea’s and Thailand’s bills and their potential in driving change for communities negatively impacted by companies’ activities.

The discussion will include an overview of the Asian business and human rights context with a focus on the rights of communities, human rights defenders and the environment, a presentation of the South Korean and Thai bills as well as recommendations on the steps Thailand should take in relation to mHREDD and beyond to guarantee corporate accountability and rights protection.

Key Objectives

Discuss how civil society and communities are leading the way on what mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence should entail to ensure effective corporate accountability.
Explore recent legal developments on mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence in South Korea and Thailand.
Discuss how legal developments in South Korea and Thailand could have positive outreach beyond their borders.

Guiding Questions

How is civil society advocating for mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence in Asia?
How should governments and companies engage with civil society and communities to ensure effective implementation of mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence?
Can South Korea and Thailand drive change in Asia?

Format