Social responsibility of the private sector in sustainable development

Social responsibility of the private sector in sustainable development is of paramount importance to the People's Republic of Bangladesh. Our Constitution provides that the people are the utmost concern for the State. As a small country with a large population, Bangladesh is in need of the development of structures and institutions that are inclusive, participatory, and accountable. Development must take into account social factors that allow all people, and notably the poor and women, to enjoy the benefits of such development in harmony with nature and in harmony with shared spiritual and moral values and ethical considerations. At all times, the importance of the individual human being must be recognized as taking precedence over economics as dominated by soulless data and statistics. Bangladesh will support initiatives to increase the accountability of private sector organizations in the area of social responsibility, especially as they increase their activities and importance in the LDCs.
--Christopher Hallett, Antioch College, 2003

Ensuring civil rights in nonconventional conflicts

The Constitution of Bangladesh states that, "The Republic shall be a democracy in which fundamental human rights and freedoms and respect for the dignity and worth of the human person shall be guaranteed." Bangladesh fully supports the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on Civil and Political Rights, the Declaration on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, and the Convention Against Torture. Bangladesh notes with concern the modern instances in which the civil rights of individuals have been infringed in internal conflicts involving separatist movements and civil wars, among other types of conflicts. Bangladesh supports taking action to limit civil rights violations that occur in nonconventional conflicts to the extent possible. Governments should be held more accountable for derogation from existing human rights agreements to ensure that derogations only occur when truly warranted. In liberation conflicts around the world, both sides of a conflict should be held accountable to world standards of conduct.
--Christopher Hallett, Antioch College, 2003

Crimes against the environment

Acknowledging that the environmental systems of the world are intricately interconnected, and that environmental problems created in one country can be manifested in other countries, Bangladesh is highly concerned about crimes against the environment. There is a significant history of irresponsible national and transnational companies engaging in excessive pollution and irresponsible disposal of toxic and nuclear waste, sometimes disposing of it in LDCs without full disclosure of the materials involved. Bangladesh advocates the development of international procedures to set standards for the disposal of industrial waste in a safe and equitable manner. Problems of desertification, pollution, animal poaching, and deforestation are also of concern. Bangladesh urges the GA to take action to condemn crimes against the environment and to protect all the peoples of the world from any actions that harm people by despoiling their environment. Furthermore, Bangladesh urges the consideration of the merits of an International Court of the Environment, to provide an international forum for the resolution of environmentally-related grievances.
--Christopher Hallett, Antioch College, 2003