If you use this document, you are encouraged to make a donation to Amnesty International to support future research. Quality and security of life cannot be measured solely in terms of GDP growth and per capita income. Genuine, sustainable development embraces the place of individuals in civil society, their personal security and their capacity to determine and realise their potential. If APEC means business, then human rights should be APEC's business. All participants should ensure that human rights issues related to economic development are taken into account in the individual action plans of the member countries.
Economic globalization poses new risks and opportunities for international human rights cooperation.
The role of the nation state is changing in the face of the global market place, as business assumes greater control and responsibility for more and more aspects of people's lives. The organization called on APEC governments to ensure that their national and international policies, including in the area of trade and aid, promote all aspects of the economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights for all members of society. Through their cooperation in multilateral fora like APEC, governments should develop mechanisms and procedures that enable these rights to be monitored and protected. Businesses should assess the human rights impact of their projects, use their influence with governments, and ensure the rights of their employees are maximised, including their freedom of expression and association in the workplace, the organization said. Mr Daniels also warned that human rights in Asia are under threat as the result of a debate on cultural interpretations led by governments such as China, Malaysia and Singapore.