Unocal in Myanmar - Myanmar’s Military Position Paper

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Lastly, I argue that it is not the duty of any company to stimulate political change in any country, with military regimes like Myanmar. This issue is beyond one single company. However, companies do have a moral and societal obligation to promote, respect, protect and fulfill human rights, and they should choose principles over profits when faced with tough dilemmas. Companies should recognize their responsibility to not commit nor be associated in human rights abuses and to protect human rights where the government in whose territory they are conducting activities is unwilling or unable to do so. Therefore, I submit the following recommendations for you, Unocal’s management, to take into account in promoting and securing human rights:

- Establish universal and binding standards of corporate accountability: The development of standards of corporate responsibility and accountability with regard to human rights is necessary in order to guarantee the responsible operation of corporations. Therefore, binding codes of conduct regarding respect for human rights and the environment must be developed for adoption and implementation by local and international corporations and governments.

- Include a standard that companies must not participate in activities that lead to human rights abuses: Companies must avoid from engaging in projects in countries that have been identified as promoting forced labor until there is evidence that labor abuses are no longer prevalent. In addition, companies must ensure that the security arrangements in the foreign countries they want to invest in are consistent with their international human rights norms.

- Include a standard that companies must not benefit from human rights abuses: Companies must not engage in nor benefit from forced labor, torture, murder, and rape as defined by international human rights and humanitarian law.

- Include a standard that companies must assess the impact of their projects on the local population: Companies can and should contribute to the enjoyment of human rights, through their investment. However, an independent body should determine whether a company’s investment is actually positively impacting the local population rather than causing harmful impacts on the human rights and lives of individuals through their business operations.

If you had managed Unocal ethically, you would have decided not to invest in Myanmar. As a result, you would have prevented the sufferings and loss of countless human lives. In addition, you would have also saved Unocal from the damning reputation from the trial. It is in your power and duty, the managers of today, to choose to run your business ethically. Thus, I hope that my recommendations stated above urge you to answer “Principles” when once again you are confronted with the question: “Profits or Principles.”

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