"ENNHRI issues statement on the development of a business and human rights treaty", 22 Oct 2020

A treaty on business and human rights could make a significant contribution to addressing current governance and protection gaps and to strengthening the prevention of business-related human rights violations and abuses. It would also improve access to remedies for victims of such violations and abuses, wherever they are.

A treaty on business and human rights is relevant to, and should be coherent with, EU policy positions and future actions...

While cognisant of the support given by the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee to the treaty’s negotiation, there is no substantive involvement by the EU and its Member States in the process to develop a treaty on business and human rights. ENNHRI recommends that:

• The EU and its Member States agree on a joint approach and participate in the drafting of a treaty on #BizHumanRights;

• The EU and its Member States agree on a formal negotiating mandate for the European External Action Service...;

• The EU and its Member States put their extensive political and diplomatic competencies to use and actively participate in the drafting process during the next sessions of the Openended intergovernmental working group;

• The ‘trio’ of states holding the EU Council Presidency over the next 18 months, Germany, Portugal, and Slovenia, actively promote a common position among EU Member States.