Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all

The Fernando Pombo Foundation (FFP), of the Spanish-based Gómez-Acebo & Pombo law firm, advances the rights of the poor through the tenets of SDG 16, especially the rule of law. FFP engages with law schools to raise awareness on the role of business in supporting human rights and ethical legal practices. It also partners with civil society organizations, public administrations, the private sector and philanthropists to support the elimination of violence, human trafficking, corruption and other SDG 16 targets. FFP encourages the legal profession to embrace SDG 16 in order to advance human rights and the rule of law. (Source)

Historically, the legal system has marginalized low-income and under-represented Asian Americans who have not been afforded due process, let alone the basic respect and attention their cases deserve. Victims often lack access to legal remedies and support because of language and cultural barriers, among other inhibiting factors. Victims of anti-Asian hate need culturally responsive advocates and real solutions. Responding to heightened attacks on the Asian American community, a group of Fortune 1000 General Counsel and over 40 law firms announced the creation of The Alliance for Asian American Justice (The Alliance), a national pro bono initiative committed to standing up for victims and preventing future acts of anti-Asian hate. (Source)

The Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law Business Network aims to identify rule of law issues relevant to the business community and provide input to corporate partners. Central projects include examining how businesses should adhere to international human rights standards when faced with contradictory domestic requirements. Other topics under discussion with the Network include transnational public interest in international investment and trade law; bribery and corruption; SDG 16 and the role of the private sector; a rule of law index for business; and data privacy versus data sharing. Founding members included Nestlé, BP, Anglo American, BT Group, Diageo, HSBC, Rio Tinto, Rolls-Royce, Shell International and Unilever. (Source)

Further to the United Nations response to the military coup in Myanmar, the business community was urged to speak out against the attack on democratic processes and human rights violations, including efforts to limit access to the internet as well as restrict freedom of assembly and expression and the killing of protestors. Businesses issued statements raising concerns regarding these actions. (Source)

Following the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul, many business leaders declined to attend the annual Future Investment Initiative, known as “Davos in the Desert”, given questions that existed at the time about the circumstances surrounding Khashoggi’s death. (Source)

In the days following the riots at the United States Capitol, Chief Executive Officers from across the business community issued statements condemning the violence and defending democratic governance and the rule of law in the United States. In addition to such statements as well as grave concerns expressed by the United Nations and others, many businesses announced changes to their political contribution policies, with certain companies refusing to contribute to specific candidates who opposed the certification of the President-elect while others paused all political contributions. The shock of the events at the Capitol — and the threat posed to the United States electoral system — sparked an unprecedented response from the business community in defence of democratic institutions and processes. (Source)

As courts were forced to close their doors across much of the world in the face of pandemic restrictions, they lacked guidelines or direction in how to continue functioning remotely in a way that would continue to maintain standards of impartiality, accountability and judicial independence. The pitfalls that were encountered were both technical and procedural. The CEELI Institute (Prague) stepped in to work with judges across Central and Eastern Europe to develop appropriate guidance for judges on the conduct of remote hearings in a way that continued to respect international fair trial standards. The Institute was supported in these efforts by businesses including Nestlé, Shell International B.V. and CourtCall, who offered time, skills and insights as well as the necessary financial contributions to facilitate these programmes. (Source)

The Alliance comprises private and public institutions and seeks to utilize various strengths and experiences in partnership to enhance the rule of law. Effective institutional change requires cross-sectoral commitment and cooperation on improving formal legal frameworks, informal cultural norms and behaviours and enforcement. The Alliance focuses on supporting, promoting and strengthening transparent enactment and enforcement of clear and just laws; independent, competent and well-resourced judicial systems; universal, equal access to justice; effective anti-corruption incentives and mechanisms; effective mechanisms to ensure administration of the law is fair, not arbitrary; and a capable legal profession that is well equipped to uphold the rule of law. (Source)

The Rule of Law Impact Tracker brings together data from the World Justice Project, the World Bank and Transparency International to quantify relationships between the rule of law and economic and social indicators. It allows users to explore not only why the rule of law is vitally important to sustainable global development but also what’s truly possible in the world if we work together to affect change. (Source)