November 2021: Support for meaningful and safe stakeholder engagement as a central aspect of the EU framework on mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence

In follow-up to the investor statement in support of robust mandated human rights and environmental due diligence legislation in the EU, the Investor Alliance worked with its ally, the Business and Human Rights Resource Center, to express the private sector’s support for stakeholder engagement as an important component of such legislation. To date, 44 investors and companies have signed the statement in support of meaningful and safe stakeholder engagement as a central aspect of the EU framework on mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence.

Meaningful, effective, and safe stakeholder engagement, including with human rights defenders (HRDs), is key to genuine, context-sensitive human rights due diligence that delivers tangible improvements for rightsholders. This idea has been publicly endorsed by the vice president of the European Parliament, Ms. Heidi Hautala, from the UN Working Group on Business & Human Rights, and the Special Rapporteur on HRDs. It is also in line with existing guidance by the OECD and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. There are some early indications that language in support of meaningful stakeholder engagement may make it into EU due diligence legislation.

While the statement was shared with relevant EU policymakers, it remains open for signature. If you are interested in signing, please contact Rebecca DeWinter-Schmitt at rdewinter@iccr.org.