The Netherlands must play a pioneering role in the realization of the UN binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights

Since 2014, the United Nations Human Rights Council has been negotiating about an international binding treaty for business and human rights.  Yesterday, the seventh round of negotiations started. This was an important moment to make progress and to ensure that this binding treaty will be adopted. Together with other civil society organizations, IUCN NL calls for the Dutch government to play a pioneering role in this.

Header photo: (c) Elma Okic

‘The United Nations binding treaty for business and human rights should ensure that companies take human rights and nature into account in their business activities,’ explains Antoinette Sprenger, Senior Expert Environmental Justice at IUCN NL. ‘It’s about respecting human rights and nature and preventing violations of these rights.’

Proactive Dutch contribution

Yesterday, the report on the seventh round of negotiations for the binding treaty for business and human rights was presented. This was happened the United Nations Human Rights Council meeting. ‘This is an important moment for the Netherlands to contribute proactively to the realization of the treaty,’ says Sprenger.

That is why IUCN NL, ActionAid, Milieudefensie, SOMO and WO=MEN Dutch Gender Platform are asking Minister Schreinemacher, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, to participate in consultations on the text of the treaty and to work towards an EU negotiating mandate.