31/03/2011 President
“As politicians, we are very much concerned about some global economic developments which have consequences on human rights of our citizens,” said PACE President Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, addressing the European banking and financial Forum “World Finances on the Threshold of the Asian Era" in Prague today, on the occasion of his working visit to the Czech Republic (30 March - 1 April).
First of all ,“public debt of European states has increased dramatically over the last few years and is still growing, with a risk of becoming unsustainable,” he warned. “Governments are being forced by excessive debt levels to make painful political, economic and social choices which affect millions of Europeans,” he explained. “The vicious circle of excessive debt, large budget deficits and low economic growth is now threatening the very foundations of European structures and the quality of life of European citizens,” he stressed.
In addition, Mr Çavuşoğlu mentioned that human rights and business were closely linked. “Due to globalisation, businesses have grown in power and influence,” he explained. “Some multinational corporations have been criticized for their impact on human rights in developing countries, such as, for example, the use of child labour in the garment manufacturing industry. Even though the duty to protect human rights traditionally remains with the state, there is an increasing legal recognition that private individuals and legal persons, including businesses, also have responsibilities,” he said.
“Business is not the priority area of the Council of Europe work,” PACE President recalled; we are concerned with the larger picture of business – when we fight against discrimination, intolerance, corruption and cyber crime, or defend social protection standards, it is very much both about the rights of individuals and a favourable business environment,” he underlined.
A report by Pieter Omtzigt (Netherlands, PPE/DC) on “Over-indebtedness of states: a danger for democracy and human rights” will be discussed on Wednesday 13 April in Strasbourg during next PACE plenary session.