This side event of the EU Raw Materials Week is co-hosted by FARN, Brot für die Welt, SOMO, and PODER 

After many years of being at the forefront for more sustainable policies, the EU is currently pushing for deregulation of human rights, social and environmental standards under the guise of simplification for economic competitiveness. Instead of implementing existing strong regulations, such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), as quickly as possible, it is about to erode the core purpose of the directive: preventing human rights violations and environmental harm along global supply chains and facilitating access to justice for people affected by corporate driven rights violations.

While the EU dismantles its sustainability agenda, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights made a clear call for action on States to regulate and on companies to implement due diligence measures across the entire value chain. Latin America is one of the most biodiverse areas in the world and has been historically positioned as a provider of natural resources for the global economy, often at great cost – causing severe ecosystem damage and violating community rights. The rigorous implementation of international standards such as the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP), the principle of Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) or the Escazú Agreement are therefore more than ever needed.

The event delves into global trends in Business and Human Rights and the risks of deregulation and privatization of implementing human rights and environmental standards for areas impacted by mining, with a specific focus on Latin America. In a world facing a triple planetary crisis, determined climate action as well as the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity and human and Indigenous Peoples’ rights are more necessary than ever. 

With:
Fernanda Hopenhaym, UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights
MEP (tbc)
Alejandro González, SOMO
Teresa Hoffmann, FARN (Argentina)
Verónica Gostissa, Assembly PUCARA (Argentina)