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Kriebitz, A., Max, R. Corporate Involvement in Human Rights Abuse and German Companies in Xinjiang: A Case for Introducing ‘Structural Complicity’ in the Business Ethics and Human Rights Discourse. Sozialer Fortschritt, 73(3), 221-249. https://doi.org/10.3790/sfo.2024.1432905
Kriebitz, Alexander and Max, Raphael "Corporate Involvement in Human Rights Abuse and German Companies in Xinjiang: A Case for Introducing ‘Structural Complicity’ in the Business Ethics and Human Rights Discourse" Sozialer Fortschritt 73.3, 2024, 221-249. https://doi.org/10.3790/sfo.2024.1432905
Kriebitz, Alexander/Max, Raphael (2024): Corporate Involvement in Human Rights Abuse and German Companies in Xinjiang: A Case for Introducing ‘Structural Complicity’ in the Business Ethics and Human Rights Discourse, in: Sozialer Fortschritt, vol. 73, iss. 3, 221-249, [online] https://doi.org/10.3790/sfo.2024.1432905
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Corporate Involvement in Human Rights Abuse and German Companies in Xinjiang: A Case for Introducing ‘Structural Complicity’ in the Business Ethics and Human Rights Discourse

Kriebitz, Alexander | Max, Raphael

Sozialer Fortschritt, Vol. 73 (2024), Iss. 3 : pp. 221–249

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Duncker & Humblot
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3790/sfo.2024.1432905
Language
German
Pages
29
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Author Details

Kriebitz, Dr. Alexander, TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology, Technical University of Munich, Arcisstrasse 21, 80333 Muenchen, Germany.

Max, Dr. Raphael, TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology, Technical University of Munich, Arcisstrasse 21, 80333 Muenchen, Germany.

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Abstract

Zusammenfassung: Die Beteiligung von Unternehmen an Menschenrechtsverletzungen und deutsche Unternehmen in Xinjiang: Ein Argument für die Einführung von „struktureller Komplizenschaft“ in den Diskurs über Wirtschaft und Menschenrechte

Die Eskalation der Menschenrechtssituation im Uigurischen Autonomen Gebiet Xinjiang seit 2017 hat erhebliche Auswirkungen auf in der Region tätige multinationale Unternehmen. Insbesondere deutschen Unternehmen wird vorgeworfen, durch ihre Präsenz in Xinjiang an Menschenrechtsverletzungen der chinesischen Regierung, die gegen ethnische Minderheiten gerichtet sind, mitzuwirken. Um ein konkreteres Bild der Rolle von deutschen Unternehmen in der Region zu ermöglichen, beleuchtet der Artikel, in welcher Weise deutsche Unternehmen zu negativen Menschenrechtsauswirkungen in der Region beitragen. Basierend auf den einschlägigen normativen Rahmenwerken zu Wirtschaft und Menschenrechten geht der Artikel auf die normative Dimension der Fortsetzung von Geschäftstätigkeiten in Konfliktregionen ein und analysiert warum bestehende Rahmenwerke nicht erfolgreich darin waren, Unternehmen von Geschäftsbeziehungen mit Xinjiang abzuhalten. Die Autoren kommen zu dem Schluss, dass bisherige Rahmenwerke die Rolle von politischen Ökonomien und Machtstrukturen, die Menschenrechtsverletzungen begehen, nicht ausreichend berücksichtigt haben. Als Konsequenz wird im Artikel das Konzept der strukturellen Beihilfe diskutiert, welches auf Situationen wie Xinjiang Anwendung finden könnte.

Table of Contents

Section Title Page Action Price
Alexander Kriebitz / Raphael Max: Corporate Involvement in Human Rights Abuse and German Companies in Xinjiang: A Case for Introducing ‘Structural Complicity’ in the Business Ethics and Human Rights Discourse 221
Abstract 221
Zusammenfassung: Die Beteiligung von Unternehmen an Menschenrechtsverletzungen und deutsche Unternehmen in Xinjiang: Ein Argument für die Einführung von „struktureller Komplizenschaft“ in den Diskurs über Wirtschaft und Menschenrechte 221
1. Introduction 222
2. Corporate Human Rights Responsibilities in Conflict Regions 223
2.1 The UN Global Compact and Complicity in Human Rights Violations 224
2.2 The Application of the UN Guiding Principles to Conflict Regions 225
2.3 Instruments to Deter Corporate Involvement in Conflict Regions 225
3. Case Study: Human Rights Violations in Xinjiang 227
3.1 Recent Human Rights Violations as Part of a Structural Problem 227
3.2 Involvement of German Companies in Crimes Perpetrated Against Uyghurs 229
4. The Relevance of Defining and Preventing ‘Structural Complicity’ in Conflict Regions 235
4.1 Defining ‘Structural Complicity’ in Human Rights Violations: 236
4.2 Preventing Structural Complicity in Conflict Regions 238
5. Conclusion 240
Bibliography 241

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