12 December 2023. FIDH’s Director Eléonore Morel joined 14 other executives of civil society organisations in an urgent written appeal to EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders, one day ahead of what could potentially be the last negotiation session for the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.
In their letter, the human rights advocates expressed their deep concern that the final agreement among EU institutions may still fail to meet its stated ambition to truly protect human rights and the environment from corporate abuses. The appeal comes in light of reports on essential measures being diluted or excluded due to lobbying from certain Member States.
NGO directors especially called on Commission Reynders to honour his commitments to strong climate obligations for companies, the inclusion of the financial sector, comprehensive measures on access to justice, and full value chain coverage. The time is ripe for EU legislation that can contribute to tearing the veil of corporate impunity.