10 The Universal Declaration is codified in international law through the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, both of 1966. Each of the Covenants has been ratified by over 150 States. Collectively all three documents are known as the International Bill of Human Rights. In the sphere of human rights for workers, the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work commits all its member States to four categories of principles and rights: freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining; the elimination of compulsory labour; the abolition of child labour; and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation. These are covered by the eight core conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO). Together these documents constitute the minimum reference point for what the Guiding Principles describe as internationally recognized human rights. Q 2. How are human rights relevant to States? States have the legal obligation to respect, protect and fulfil the human rights set out in the international human rights conventions they ratify. Similar responsibilities, though usually not legally binding, result from the human rights declarations and other such political commitments that States make. The obligation of States to respect human rights means that they must refrain from interfering with or curtailing the enjoyment of human rights. Their obligation to protect human rights requires them to protect individuals and groups against human rights abuses, including by business enterprises. Their obligation to fulfil human rights means that States must take positive action to facilitate the enjoyment of basic human rights. Q 3. How are human rights relevant to businesses? International human rights treaties generally do not impose direct legal obligations on business enterprises. Legal liability and enforcement for the infringement by businesses of international human rights standards are therefore defined largely by national law.5 However, the actions of business enterprises, just like the actions of other non-State actors, can affect the enjoyment of human rights by others, either positively or negatively. Enterprises can affect the human rights of their employees, their customers, workers in their supply It is important to note that national law provisions, and some human rights requirements in contracts, may result from or be heavily influenced by international human rights treaties. 5