Open Letter to EU Institutions: Uphold our internationally recognised rights in the CSDDD

This open letter calls on the European Union (EU) to include rights to self-determination, to lands, territories and resource, and to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) in the upcoming Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence.

The letter was sent to EU policymakers by 27 individuals and organisations that represent indigenous and tribal peoples, and communities who share an experience of collective ownership, management and use of lands, territories and natural resources. It is also endorsed by 68 human rights and environmental organisations who support the recommendations promoted by these groups.

The Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive is currently in its final stages of negotiations and policymakers in the European Parliament, the Council, and the European Commission have an opportunity to change course and make a positive impact for people and forests by upholding the EU’s own human rights commitments and its international obligations in the Directive.

The open letter warns that while the upcoming Directive aims to halt the adverse impacts of business on human rights and the environment, inside and outside Europe, it will not achieve this in its current state.

 

“Adopting a human rights and environmental due diligence legislation that does not seek to address human rights violations perpetrated against our peoples and communities would exclude countless people from being able to seek justice for the constant violence inflicted upon us by corporate actors worldwide,” states the open letter sent to EU policymakers.

 

Read the full letter in English, Spanish and French