The Corporate Responsibility Initiative calls for Swiss corporations to finally be held accountable when they violate human rights or damage the environment. The counterproposal now presented by the Federal Council contains problematic loopholes that leave serious cases unaddressed.
Most European countries already have regulations that require corporations to comply with human rights and environmental standards.
Is Switzerland soon to be the only country without these important rules? No, we don't think so, and we're working to ensure that as many people as possible have access to the to sign the open letter.
Human Dignity and the Care of Creation
For us, the preservation of creation and the protection of human dignity are inextricably linked. Those who destroy the environment rob the most vulnerable of their means of survival. Those who trample on human rights undermine our work.
That is why we support the Responsible Business Initiative: because it finally establishes clear rules that prevent Swiss corporations from causing harm abroad—and because it enables us not only to mitigate harm, but to truly protect people. We are signing the open letter because we are taking responsibility—for people, for creation, and for a more just world.
Profit over human rights? NO
One Glencore Mine Pollutes a Region in Peru, at a model mine operated by the 27 Miners Die in the Swiss Gold Industry and the agrochemical company Syngenta Sells Coffee Produced Under Slavery-Like Working Conditions. Time and again, companies headquartered in Switzerland violate human rights and ignore even the most basic environmental standards. The Corporate Responsibility Initiative prevents corporations from continuing to violate human rights or destroy the environment.
It is important that we put humanity before profit. So please join us and sign the open letter!