UN Human Rights Chief urges EU leaders to approve key business and human rights legislation

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, urged European leaders to approve a groundbreaking agreement on business and human rights, amid reports that the measure's acceptance in the European Council is in doubt.

The objective of this Directive is to promote sustainable and responsible corporate conduct and to establish human rights and environmental considerations as integral components of companies' operations and corporate governance. The new regulations would guarantee that enterprises address the adverse consequences of their actions, encompassing their value chains both within and outside of Europe.

“The adoption of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive would show historic leadership by the EU at a time when global leadership in support of human rights is needed more than ever,” said Türk.

“For the past four years, work on the Directive has seen unprecedented involvement by many stakeholders, including business and my Office, as well as political commitment from EU institutions and Member States to push it forward. This process has truly raised hopes of ensuring more effective management of human rights risks by large companies.”

“For the Directive to fail now would be a massive blow,” he said.

The EU-wide Directive would require certain large EU and non-EU companies to take reasonable steps to identify and address adverse human rights risks.

“Human rights due diligence is feasible and supports sustainable business processes that deliver long-term value to society at large. And for those reasons it also makes eminent business sense,” said Türk.

Numerous corporations that fall within the purview of the Directive have endorsed its adoption. It would establish a level playing field by harmonizing disparate regulations across various jurisdictions.

“The agreement on the Directive is reported to be substantially aligned with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and other relevant international human rights standards. I am convinced the Directive can make a positive contribution to respect for human rights, and its adoption would send an important message of solidarity to those at risk from business activities,” the UN Human Rights Chief said.