The Regional Court in Dortmund will not investigate the facts in the case against the German textile retailer KiK…The court rejected the lawsuit, which aimed to clarify KiK's joint responsibility for the fire safety deficiencies, referring to a statutory limitation. 

KiK had agreed to waive a possible statutory limitation before the filing of the complaint, but, two years after the its filing, insisted that its waiver was void. 

The claim – initiated by the...ECCHR and supported by medico international – was the first of its kind in Germany. The case aimed to make clear that transnational corporations are responsible for the working conditions at their subsidiaries and suppliers abroad.

The claimants will decide whether they want to appeal the court’s decision after evaluating the written judgment. 

Miriam Saage-Maaß from ECCHR stressed the fundamental importance of the proceedings: “German companies of all kinds have closely followed the complaint against KiK. Legal experts from Germany, the UK and Switzerland have supported the complainants’ arguments. Everyone understands that the current law does not fulfil all fundamental demands.” 

Thomas Seibert from medico international added: “The voluntary commitments from companies are not sufficient. In order to enforce human and labor rights, politicians have to implement laws for an efficient corporate liability.”