Ads are expected tools of the trade for businesses to sell. But even businesses, including advertising agencies, operate within the bounds of ethical guidelines to ensure that earning profit does not come at the expense of other people’s rights, identities, and dignity.

As such, the Commission on Human Rights reminds businesses, as a secondary duty bearer, of their moral obligation to ensure respect and protection of the rights of all, given their capacity to influence how others would enjoy their rights and their ability to shape people’s worldview.

We recognise that these companies present an option to lighten one’s skin, but they may do so without perpetuating colorism, particularly discriminating against those with darker skin. Instead, we hope that they use their respective platforms to encourage greater acceptance of our diversity and oneness as part of one humanity. ###