回應部門: Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications , EU and International Cooperation Department, EU and International Cooperation Division
貴國是否採取了一些您認為特別成功的行動來減少企業對人權的負面影響？請給出一個或多個實例。
Expansion of the space that values the principles of human rights, democracy, rule of law, and advancement of international law is one of Estonia’s five priorities in foreign policy. Estonia focuses especially on protecting the rights of women, children and indigenous people, because these groups are often more vulnerable than others and are more likely to fall victim to discrimination.
Respect of human rights, both within and outside the territory of Estonia is a constitutional obligation that extends to all Estonian nationals, residents and companies operating in Estonia. Estonia takes and has taken into account the principles of human rights in development and cooperation projects and in foreign trade and export policy. Estonia applies the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights through a variety of thematic development plans and strategies.
貴國政府中哪個/哪些部門主要負責工商業與人權事務？
Estonia’s bilateral relations as well as membership in international organisations have created a wide array of possibilities for Estonia to develop and protect human rights and to address the violation of human rights. Estonia is actively involved in human rights through participation in the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, the UN, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Council of Europe. We are traditionally active in several bodies dealing with human rights: Estonia is a member of the UN Human Rights Council (2013-15), a member of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (2011-15), a member of UN ECOSOC (2015-2017) and a board member of the United Nations Children's Fund (2011-13). The Estonian diplomat Tiina Intelmann is the President of the Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court. In addition, Estonian experts are members of various forums, committees and workgroups. Estonia enforces its human rights priorities in the world via bilateral relations and development cooperation projects.
The main government office that is dealing with human rights issues in foreign policy is Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Estonia. All the other ministries contribute to the human rights coordination and positions according to their area. Concerning the business and human rights the responsible ministry is Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, Department of Economic Development.
2011年6月《聯合國指導原則》獲得通過後，貴國是否採取了新的工商業和人權舉措或加強了已有舉措？
Yes
貴國是否制定了聯合國人權理事會和工商業與人權工作組所倡導的《國家工商業與人權行動計劃》，或者是否打算這樣做？
Estonia does not have a national action plan of business & human rights. Promotion and protection of fundamental and human rights, included in business and labour items, are protected by the Constitution of Estonia and are an integral part of legislative drafting and law-making.
In Estonia a number of specific strategies and action plans cover the basis of business & human rights principles. For example: Estonian Entrepreneurship Growth Strategy 2014-2020; The Estonian foreign investments and export action plan for the years 2014-2017 for increasing the export capacity of Estonian companies and involving foreign investments: Made in Estonia 3.0; Digital Agenda 2020 for Estonia; Estonian Educational Strategy for 2012-2020 including HR education; Estonian Lifelong Learning Strategy 2014-2020; Estonian Anti-Corruption Strategy 2013-2020; The Strategy of Integration and Social Cohesion in Estonia to 2020 etc.
如果貴國已經制定國家行動計劃或打算這麼做，請重點說明這些舉措是否參考國際人權標準，制定時是否與受影響的利益攸關者進行了磋商。
補救途徑: 採取了哪些舉措推出新的司法或行政性補救手段，或減少受害者使用現有補救手段時面臨的障礙？
National Action plan for corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been created by Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications together with several partners, both from public and private sector. Action Plan can be found from here (unfortunately in Estonian): [link]
The main focus of the action plan is on awareness raising activities. As part of this, awareness of business and human rights is tackled. Various expert group meetings took place during the process, including representatives from corporate sector, different ministries, leading universities and non-profit sector. Responsible Business Forum in Estonia (website: [link] )was involved into the policy creation process as one of the leading expert partners. The strategy aims to increase the awareness among businesses, investors, consumers, public sector, media and other stakeholders (public communication, sharing good case practices, involving into study programs, training companies and other stakeholders); and to encourage responsible behaviour among companies through developing national recognition and certification system.
您的政府採取了什麼行動去改善非司法補救措施？
National contact point has been created and is coordinated by the Minstry of Economic Affiars and Communications in Estonia.
補救途徑: 針對總部設在貴國的企業及其附屬機構，貴國是否採取措施加強對它們在海外人權影響的問責？如果是，請說明。
Question does not apply.
有什麼因素阻礙您的政府就工商企業與人權採取行動？
Most important factor is:
- Challenges of coordinating across government departments
Significant factors are:
- Lack of resources for enforcement, monitoring and prosecution
- Lack of understanding or awareness of business & human rights in government
Minor factors are:
- Opposition or lack of consensus within government
- Opposition by economic interest groups or business associations
- Other opposition by influential people or groups outside government
- Political limitations imposed by foreign governments or multilateral institutions
- Concern about deterring foreign investments
如果貴國希望獲得支持，哪種形式的支持最能夠幫助貴國推動改善公司對人權的影響？
Our government would consider the most helpful capacity-building and trainings in order to improve companies’ impacts on human rights.
請分享更多意見，包括有關未來為推進工商業和人權保護而合作和交流學習的想法。
Estonia is co-sponsor of UN HRC resolution 26/22 Human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises.