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Human Rights Statement

Creating a Human Rights Framework

Since 2005, we have worked with Professor John Ruggie, UN Special Representative for Business and Human Rights, on the development and implementation of his 'Protect, Respect and Remedy' framework for human rights. In February 2010, we hosted a day-long conference on respect for human rights attended by more than 100 participants at which Professor Ruggie was the keynote speaker, and in 2011 we plan to host a follow-up conference with Professor Ruggie. Learn more about the development of the framework 'Protect, Respect, Remedy' guidelines.

Agendas from Company conferences to engage business on Human Rights issues:

The reputation of The Coca-Cola Company is built on trust and respect.

We are committed to earning that trust with a set of values that represent the highest standards of quality, integrity and excellence. Our Human Rights Statement establishes a foundation for managing our business around the world in accordance with these high standards.

Our Human Rights statement is guided by the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and related international covenants. While governments are responsible for protecting human rights through legal frameworks, businesses have a corporate responsibility to respect all human rights. Our Human Rights Statement recognizes this commitment.

Engaging with Human Rights Experts:
 We are continually advancing our understanding of human rights by engaging with experts in the field and with our peer companies. In 2007, The Coca-Cola Company joined the Business Leaders Initiative on Human Rights (BLIHR), a network of 11 multinational companies focused on identifying practical ways of applying human rights principles within the business context. In 2009, we asked the Danish Institute for Human Rights to conduct a human rights gap analysis of all of our global policies which resulted in a n updating of our human rights training and guidance and messages from our Chairman and CEO and our Chief People Officer on the corporate responsibility to all respect human rights. Also in 2009, the Company became a founding member of the Global Business Initiative on Human Rights (GBIHR). GBIHR is a business-led project that aims to bring more companies in emerging markets into the dialogue on human rights in business.

In recent years we have hosted annual forums to address issues related to human rights.  These forums are sponsored by the United States Council for International Business, International Organization of Employers and the Chamber of Commerce and in collaboration with the International Labor Organization.  The forums have engaged the business community on topics including forced labor, child labor and business and human rights.

Download our Human Rights Statement (PDF)

Download our Human Rights Statement Posters (PDF)