This document explains that Amnesty International holds governments primarily responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights but, within their spheres of activity and influence, companies have responsibilities in connection with the interests, health and safety, and human rights of employees and their dependents, of business partners, associates and subcontractors and of the communities in which they operate. This background document considers voluntary codes of conduct; UN norms for business; oil and economic resources in Nigeria;’divide and rule’ policy; and, the impact of oil spills.
