07 July 2021

Bonsucro is committed to strengthening human rights for everyone in sugarcane value chains, including indigenous people. Our Code of Conduct states that members have a responsibility to respect human rights as understood and in accordance with international conventions such as the International Labor Organization and the International Bill of Human Rights – which include indigenous communities. In addition, members must agree that they legally comply with all “planning and licensing, including land tenure and community/ indigenous engagement” and any non-conformities must be declared upon application. Applicant members and current members also go through a due diligence process.

Our current Production Standard states that operators must demonstrate that local communities have given consent to use the land through a FPIC process. However, we are revising the Standard, which is undergoing a second public consultation before it will be finalised later this year. Indicators on land rights have been strengthened in the new draft Standard by bringing more clarity to the FPIC term and process. In addition, we have added other elements that enhance the overall land and water rights of traditional communities such as having policies in place for indigenous, tribal, and traditional communities and putting Grievance Mechanisms in place that are legitimate, accessible, equitable, transparent and rights-compatible for communities. The Standard has been developed in collaboration with representatives from across the sector and multiple NGO groups.

In June 2020 Bonsucro launched a new Grievance Mechanism which was designed to align with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The new mechanism allows anyone to report incidents and actions against the Bonsucro Standards or Code of Conduct. It provides a space for stakeholders to complain against the action, or inaction, of others. We work with a third party, the Centre for Dispute Resolution (CEDR), to ensure that reported incidents are investigated properly.

We welcome this report and the recommendations it offers. Bonsucro plays a convening role in the sugarcane sector - we believe that through membership, certification, and collaboration we will strengthen human rights.