EU Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions on business and human rights: More decisive action needed on access to justice

(ECCJ, Brussels, 20 June 2016) European NGOs, while welcoming the EU Foreign Affairs Council's Conclusions on business and human rights, have called for their rapid translation into practice. They note too that the Conclusions reflect the Dutch presidency and EU Members States’ acknowledgement that the measures taken so far to ensure that companies respect human rights and are accountable for violations, remain insufficient. In particular, Article 11 notes that " The Council encourages EU Institutions and Member States to address their responsibilities as commercial actors (e.g. in public procurement) and when supporting or partnering with businesses (e.g. through export credit, trade promotion, or subsidies for the private sector).