Human Rights Policy
Effective date: 1 January 1991
Manasaram Architects affirms that respect for human rights is fundamental to our practice as architects and as a studio. This policy reflects our commitment to treating people with dignity and fairness in our workplace, our projects, and the communities we work within.
Our approach draws on international human‑rights standards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which recognise that all enterprises have a responsibility to respect human rights and avoid causing or contributing to adverse impacts.
1. Our Commitments
We commit to:
Respecting the human rights of employees, consultants, contractors, clients, and communities affected by our work, regardless of nationality, gender, caste, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or socio‑economic background.
Ensuring that our design and project practices do not contribute to discrimination, exclusion, or harm, including avoiding designs that reinforce segregation, unsafe conditions, or denial of access to public or essential space.
Respecting the rights of workers in the construction supply chain, including fair treatment, safe working conditions, and freedom from forced or child labour.
2. Workplace and Studio Culture
Within our studio, we commit to:
A workplace free from harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and abuse of power, including but not limited to sexual harassment, caste‑based discrimination, or gender‑based exclusion.
Fair and non‑discriminatory employment practices, including recruitment, pay, promotions, and opportunities for professional development.
Encouraging freedom of expression and safe channels for feedback or complaints, without fear of reprisal, and ensuring that concerns are addressed promptly and confidentially.
3. Design, Projects, and Communities
Architecture shapes how people live, move, and feel in space. Because of this, Manasaram’s human‑rights‑aligned approach includes:
Designing for accessibility and inclusivity, so that spaces are usable by people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, including women, children, older persons, and people with disabilities.
Respecting and consulting affected communities, especially where projects touch public space, informal settlements, or culturally sensitive sites, to avoid displacement, loss of livelihood, or erosion of cultural heritage.
Avoiding or challenging designs that could be used to facilitate human‑rights violations, such as spaces explicitly intended to enable excessive surveillance, violence, or degrading treatment.
4. Supply Chain and Partners
We recognise that our projects involve contractors, labourers, material suppliers, and other partners. We commit to:
Seeking to work with partners who respect human rights and labour standards, including fair wages, reasonable working hours, and safe site conditions.
Being alert to risks in our supply chain, such as unsafe working conditions, exploitation, or harm to local communities, and taking steps to address them where we have influence.
5. Due Diligence and Accountability
Manasaram applies human‑rights due diligence in line with international expectations, which means:
Identifying and assessing potential or actual adverse human‑rights impacts linked to our activities, projects, and relationships.
Taking steps to prevent, mitigate, and address these impacts, including changing design choices, procurement practices, or contractual arrangements when necessary.
Providing accessible mechanisms for people who may be affected by our projects to raise concerns and, where appropriate, seek a remedy.
6. Continuous Improvement
We recognise that respect for human rights is an ongoing responsibility. We commit to:
Regularly reviewing and updating our internal practices, including hiring, site coordination, and client engagement, to better reflect human‑rights principles.
Learning from case studies, research, and community feedback to deepen our understanding of how architecture can support inclusion, safety, and dignity.