Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Doubts On Yahoo's Human Rights Code of Conduct

Posted by kdawson on from the do-as-i-say dept.

Ian Lamont writes "The US Senate has been pushing American technology companies to work with rights groups to develop a human rights code of conduct, which would help to guide their overseas activities. Yahoo now claims that it has established the 'core components' of a global code of conduct, and a more complete version will be ready this fall. However, the Industry Standard notes that there's a fundamental flaw with such efforts: US law is not world law. Following the local laws is a requirement of doing business in any country, and conflicts between corporate ethics and the law of the land in which these corporations do business are inevitable. The US Senate's push for such a code was prompted by a number of incidents, including Yahoo's complicity in the arrest of Chinese dissidents and a Chinese journalist."

3 of 100 comments (clear)

  1. Middle Kingdom syndrome by jeiler · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Middle Kingdrom syndrome is the tendency to believe that "our" culture is the best, and that "our" laws, customs, and culture should supercede all other laws, customs, and culture.

    China is occasionally accused of Middle Kingdom syndrome by some Americans. Seems that the pot is still calling the kettle nasty names.

    --

    If you haven't been down-modded lately, you aren't trying.

    Sacred cows make the best hamburger.

    1. Re:Middle Kingdom syndrome by Roger+W+Moore · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I believe in the ideas outlined in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. I believe that all people are created equal and should have equal rights and protection under law. I believe...

      I believe that you should vote in a government which shares some of these ideals enough to act on them and then perhaps those of us in the rest of the world might take you more seriously when you start to talk about morals.

  2. ethics from US corporations overseas? won't happen by toby · · Score: 5, Insightful

    For an illustrative example, google Blackwater illegal prosecution and you'll see that they get away with murder. Literally.

    Or for another example, google Chevron Chernobyl.

    The key feature of "Globalisation" as we know it is US corporations (and military) being able to break local and international law at will. Apparently in the US this isn't considered a problem.

    --
    you had me at #!