From the Rana Plaza tragedy to today: what are the civil and criminal responsibilities of companies in the textile sector?
In 2013, almost two years after the approval of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights by the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Rana Plaza tragedy in Bangladesh highlighted the serious failures of multinationals with regard to the respect of human rights in the textile sector and contributed to global awareness on the issue.
More than ten years after this tragedy, the working session will make it possible to take stock of the obligations of companies in the textile sector in terms of respecting workers' rights and the right of local communities to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
During the session, good and bad practices of companies in the fashion industry will be discussed (e.g. “fast fashion” vs. sustainable and responsible production); the legal framework put in place to prevent and remedy human rights violations (e.g. national legislation on the duty of vigilance, European directives and regulations, laws and resolutions on the forced labor of the Uyghur population, etc.); the initiatives developed by various entities aimed at obtaining a strong and real commitment from companies in this area; as well as the various civil and criminal proceedings initiated against companies in the textile sector worldwide.