An Introduction to Human Rights for the Mobile Sector

Following the publication of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in 2011 and subsequent national and regional regulatory initiatives, there has been increasing focus on the roles and responsibilities of businesses with regards to human rights.

Human rights risks are present throughout mobile operators’ value chains. These range from the treatment and conditions of people working in the supply chain to how operators’ own employees are treated and how the human rights of customers are respected online.

This summary provides a high-level introduction to the most salient human rights issues for mobile operators. The aim is to explain why the issues are relevant for operators and share initial practical guidance for companies beginning to focus and respond to human rights issues.