Geneva, In a significant appeal to European Union leaders, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has called for the approval of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, a pioneering piece of legislation aimed at integrating human rights considerations into business operations. Amid uncertainties surrounding the European Council’s support for the directive, Turk emphasized the critical need for EU leadership in bolstering human rights protections globally.

According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Turk highlighted the directive’s potential to demonstrate historic EU leadership in human rights advocacy. The directive, which has been in development for four years, involves extensive collaboration among stakeholders, including businesses, the UN Office, and EU institutions. Turk pointed out the directive’s importance in managing human rights risks effectively within large corporations, warning that failure to pass it would represent a significant setback.

The proposed legislation would mandate large companies, both within the EU and abroad, to conduct due diligence to identify and mitigate adverse human rights impacts. Turk underscored the feasibility of human rights due diligence and its contribution to sustainable business practices that benefit society at large.

The directive is expected to level the playing field for businesses by standardizing diverse regulations across different jurisdictions. Turk expressed his conviction that the directive aligns with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and other international standards, asserting that its adoption would significantly support human rights and send a powerful message of solidarity to those affected by business operations.

With a vote on the directive anticipated later this week, Turk urged EU Member States to show decisive leadership by passing this crucial legislation, marking a significant step forward in the integration of human rights into the business sector.