《2016.09_Joint NGO Position Paper_ Breaking the Links》.pdfVIP

16 September 2013 Breaking the links between natural resources and conflict: The case for EU regulation A civil society position paper is home to many leading global corporations that This group of 58 European and global trade in natural resources and manufacture raw non-governmental organisations calls on the materials.i Furthermore, the European Commission European Commission to adopt legislation (EC) and Member States together provide more than requiring European business entities to half of all worldwide development aid, including conduct supply chain due diligence in order to to countries affected by natural resource-fuelled ensure that they do not contribute to conflict conflicts.3 The size of the European market means financing or human rights abuses in the that the EU is well placed to influence global supply production and trade in natural resources.1 chains and promote transparent and responsible sourcing in other jurisdictions. Such legislation should, at a minimum, meet international standards endorsed by EU Member States have a duty under international the United Nations and by the Organisation and European human rights law to ensure that for Economic Cooperation and Development those businesses operating within their jurisdiction and reflect principles contained within the are not causing or contributing to human rights European Union’s own Corporate Social abuses, directly or indirectly, through their business Responsibility strategy.2 activities. Legal requirements are already being