A recent movement in the American human rights community has advocated making greater use of the supervisory machinery of the International Labor Organization (ILO) to promote and protect fundamental civil and political liberties. Proponents state that the ILO machinery, enables the human rights community to hold accountable persistent human rights violators like China. States which are not parties to conventions guaranteeing civil and political rights can be held accountable for their actions before an international forum by means of the ILO's Committee on Freedom of Association (the Committee).
Despite its name, the ILO is not an organization solely concerned with the furtherance of international industrial relations. Since its inception in 1919, the ILO has included the protection of fundamental human rights as one of its objectives. Central to the ILO's effort to achieve this goal has been its promotion of the concept of "freedom of association." The idea of freedom of association originally focused on the right of workers to form and join organizations of their own choosing. Over time, this principle generally has been interpreted by the ILO's adjudicative bodies as only one aspect of the freedom to associate. Specifically, the concept has been construed to include: (1) right of security of person, or freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention; (2) freedom of opinion and expression; (3) freedom of assembly ; and (4) right to due process and a fair trial by an independent and impartial tribunal. The ILO has interpreted these civil and political liberties as being within the right of association, since it considers them an integral part of social policy inextricably related to economic development.
Similar to the supervisory mechanism under the Optional Protocol of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the ILO recognizes that international human rights norms can best be ensured if individuals are given a central role in the monitoring process. However, the ILO's treatment of human rights issues differs from the Optional Protocol's individual complaint mechanism. The grievance mechanism is available against any of its 173 members for violations of the right of association even if the country is not a signatory to the Freedom of Association Convention or any other applicable ILO agreement. In contrast, under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the applicable supervisory body has jurisdiction only if the state in question has ratified one of the accords. Procedurally, the ILO permits non-sovereign entities to make complaints, but this right must be exercised on their behalf by employee or employer organizations.
In an effort to ensure ILO member states' adherence to the principle of freedom of association, the ILO's Governing Body in 1950 established special procedures and regulations under which complaints of alleged infringements of this right could be examined regardless of what conventions the violating state had ratified. Specifically, the grievance mechanisms allow the Committee to conduct an inquiry upon receipt of a written complaint fully supported by proof of the specific allegations. After investigating the complaint, the Committee may find a state in violation of the freedom of association. It may then recommend steps that should be taken to restore or ensure the right's observance by the State.
Despite the potential of the ILO as a tool to enforce international human rights standards, there are significant weaknesses in its practical application. While member states have an obligation. to ensure the right of association, the Committee does not have the authority to enforce compliance. Professor Mark Hager of WCL, points out that "the Committee's role is not to condemn a government or to impose penalties. The Committee does not have the competence to undertake such action. Rather, it must rely upon the power of persuasion and on the use of 'shame' tactics to garner observance of human rights standards."
Another weakness of the ILO is its susceptibility to political considerations and dynamics. As an international organization representing States, as well as employee and employer associations, the ILO has often found its deliberations so politicized that effective action became impossible. This was especially evident during the Cold War when the ILO became so stymied by political debate that the U.S. felt compelled to withdraw from the organization for several years until political issues could be resolved. Since then, the ILO has worked to curtail this problem. It continues to be a troublesome concern, however, and often prevents the ILO from taking stronger measures against those states guilty of freedom of association violations.
Despite
the
above
stated
drawbacks,
the
ILO
has
been
quite
effective
in
holding
governments
accountable
based
upon
its
ability
to
investigate
and
publicize
governmental
infractions.
The
ILO
may
not
represent
the
consummate
vehicle
for
promoting
and
protecting
human
rights,
but
U.S.
NGOs
are
likely
to
find
it
an
effective
medium
through
which
to
advance
their
agendas.
American
human
rights
groups
generally
have
not
resorted
to
the
ILO
supervisory
machinery
but,
according
to
WCL
Professor
Robert
Goldman,"
it
may
be
time
for
a
change,
since
it
is
critical
for
such
organizations
to
be
aware
of
all
available
means
by
which
enforcement
of
human
rights
standards
is
possible."
As
the
record
of
the
Committee
on
Freedom
of
Association
demonstrates,
it
has
indeed
been
effective,
despite
the
reality
that
its
power
is
based
upon
its
investigative
ability
to
shed
light
on governmental infractions.
© Copyright 1995 The Human Rights Brief
Next Article
Previous Article
Return to this issue's Table of Contents
Return to The Human Rights Brief Home Page