CYIL vol. 10 (2019)

MONIKA FEIGERLOVÁ CYIL 10 ȍ2019Ȏ editor of the book) who address the disclosure of data related to the remuneration for the exercise of public service versus the fundamental right to privacy of the civil servant. The most thought-provoking part of the book is probably Part V. devoted to business and human dignity. P. Šustek and M. Šolc critically evaluate the theoretical possibilities of business with human body parts and the challenges it would pose to the contemporary understanding of human rights. They point out that the concept of self-ownership of the human body enabling the commercialization of human organs “might alter some of the society’s important values regarding individual integrity and the value of life” (p. 208). In the subsequent contribution J. Reckziegel and C. Wendramin introduce a new piece of legislation from Santa Catarina in Brazil, aimed at the protection of pregnant and parturient women against obstetric violence. The book is symbolically closed by texts highlighting the realities of the information society (Part VI.). The protection of personal and sensitive data and the electronic collection and use of an immense range of information relating to an employee by its employer are one of the burning questions addressed by R. Goldschmidt and B. de Felippe Reis against the background of Brazilian labour law. In the absence of express national legislation concerning the processing of personal and sensitive data in Brazil the authors use the theory of horizontal effect of fundamental rights in order to establish a limit on the employer and to guarantee respect for the fundamental rights of workers (p. 233). R. Leal emphasizes the toxic effects of corruption with examples from Brazil and propounds that the fight against corruption is “no longer the exclusive task of the public authorities set up, but of the whole Community and of the Market as well” (p. 238). There is nothing to disagree with, however, the conclusions of the author in relation to business and human rights debate are uncertain. As demonstrated in many parts of the book, the UN Guiding Principles have been the major event with catalytic effect in the business and human rights field. It would have been useful had the editors seen fit to include an essay about the UN Guiding Principles themselves to inform the reader on the specific topics that the contributors analyse in the book in order to avoid unnecessary repetitions throughout the text and to provide the reader with one compact introduction. It is confirmed throughout the book that the UN Guiding Principles are less than 10 years old and not widely known to public, at least in the Czech Republic (p. 168). All in all, the book provides an excellent overview of current themes in the field of business and human rights and even goes beyond the classical focus on business-related human rights abuses; in many instances it opens the door for further debate and research, whereas in a number of cases it seeks to give answers to complex problems and can serve as useful guidance on practical implementation of the human rights issues into the corporate environment. It is a noteworthy contribution to the business and human rights debate and offers valuable insight for both academic audiences and practitioners.

Monika Feigerlová 3

3 JUDr. Monika Feigerlová, Ph.D., LL.M. – Institute of State and Law, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. Preparation of the review was supported by the long-term strategic development financing of the Institute of State and Law of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (RVO: 68378122).

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