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Parliamentary question - P-001738/2022(ASW)Parliamentary question
P-001738/2022(ASW)

Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell i Fontelles on behalf of the European Commission

The EU participates in the discussions of the United Nations (UN) Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) with the aim to promote the global protection of victims of business-related human rights abuses.

While the EU believes in the potential of an international legally binding instrument to enhance the protection of victims globally, such an instrument must build on the existing consensual frameworks of business and human rights, be supported by a critical mass of UN members across regions and be realistically implementable.

The EU commends Ecuador for its efforts to propose a draft legally binding instrument. However, as also indicated by many other states, the EU is concerned about the level of prescriptiveness of the draft instrument in a number of areas.

On this basis, we have encouraged Ecuador to use its leadership in the process to identify a basis for consensus towards an instrument that can reach wide cross-regional support and that is truly implementable in practice.

The EU has reiterated these elements throughout the UN discussions and in relevant fora, including at the last session of the IGWG in October 2021 and the G7 Presidency Conference organised by Germany, where Commissioner for Justice underlined the importance of the ongoing discussions on an EU Directive on corporate sustainability due diligence for the reflection on the EU’s international engagement.

The Commission and the High Representative/Vice-President will continue working on EU policy initiatives and engaging with Member States, the Parliament and other stakeholders regarding EU’s participation in the next session of the IGWG.

Decisions on next steps, including on a possible negotiating mandate, will be taken on the basis of such engagement and therefore cannot be prejudged at this stage.

Last updated: 9 June 2022
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