For the production of everyday goods such as cars, smartphones, clothing and food, workers labour under sometimes catastrophic conditions. Transnational corporations accept human rights violations and environmental destruction for the sake of their profits. WEED is therefore calling for a fundamental change in the global economic system in which companies are held accountable.

The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights which were adopted in 2011 clearly state that companies must put an end to possible negative human rights impacts of their business activities and endeavour to provide remedy. To date, however, companies are far too rarely legally obliged to respect human rights in their business operations and production. In fact, most standards relating to human rights and environmental due diligence are voluntary.

WEED advocates for ambitious and effective political regulation to ensure that companies comply with human rights and environmental standards worldwide and that those affected by human rights violations and environmental destruction can assert their rights and have access to remedy. We are also committed to resource justice, with a particular focus on the IT sector, digitalisation and the automotive industry.

Our demands

• Mandatory accountability and disclosure rules for companies on human rights, environmental and social standards
• Anchoring human rights due diligence obligations for companies in international economic agreements and economic development programmes
• Effective sanctions and liability rules for companies and instruments to enforce them
• Awarding public contracts according to socio-ecological criteria