LUXEMBOURG CITY/GENEVA (9 December 2022) – UN experts today hailed Luxembourg’s commitment to implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and praised the development of two National Action Plans on business and human rights. “Inviting the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights as the first Special Procedures mandate to visit Luxembourg shows the country’s commitment to the business and human rights agenda,” said Robert McCorquodale, who represented the Working Group on a 9-day visit to the country. In a statement at the end of the visit, the Working Group encouraged Luxembourg to support the inclusion the financial sector and investment funds within the European Union Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDDD). “These activities can and have led to adverse human rights impacts,” the experts said. “Further, the Working Group sees the CSDDD as a means for Luxembourg to position itself as a leader in the region, particularly in terms of sustainable finance, which includes human rights, environmental, and climate change matters,” they said. To this end, the Working Group urged the Government and business to increase training and capacity building across all sectors and organisations. During the visit, the Working Group discussed key pending legislation in Luxembourg relevant to corporate accountability for human rights abuses, such as the Whistleblowers Bill, the Conflict Minerals Bill and the Collective Recourse Bill. “We commend Luxembourg for taking these initial steps and encourage the Government to pass this legislation without delay,” McCorquodale said. Throughout the country visit, the Working Group noted evidence of a variety of good practices within Luxembourg, such as for survivors of human trafficking and assistance provided to migrants. “However, suspended sentences and low fines are not a sufficient deterrence for businesses who profit from abusive labour practices,” the Working Group said. The experts expressed their gratitude to the Government of Luxembourg for its invitation and active engagement. During their visit, experts from the Working Group met with representatives of Government, businesses, business associations, trade unions and civil society organisations in Luxembourg city. The Working Group’s final report, including its findings and key recommendations, will be presented to the Human Rights Council in June 2023. The Working Group on human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises was established by the UN Human Rights Council in June 2011. Its current members are: Ms. Fernanda Hopenhaym (Chairperson), Ms. Pichamon Yeophantong (Vice-Chairperson), Mr. Damilola Olawuyi, Mr. Robert McCorquodale, and Ms. Elżbieta Karska. The Working Group is part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent human rights monitoring mechanisms. The Working Group reports to the Human Rights Council and to the UN General Assembly. Special Procedures mandate-holders are independent human rights experts appointed by the Human Rights Council to address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. The experts are not UN staff and are independent from any government or organization. They serve in their individual capacity and do not receive a salary for their work. The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, unanimously endorsed by the UN Human Rights Council in 2011 (resolution 17/4), provide the authoritative global standard for action to safeguard human rights in a business context, clarifying what is expected by governments and companies to prevent and address impacts on human rights arising from business activity. UN Human Rights, country page – Luxembourg For additional information and media requests please contact the Working Group Secretariat: In Luxembourg (during the dates of the visit): tel. +41 76 691 1639; email sonia.cuesta@un.org and robert.vaughan@un.org CC: hrc-wg-business@un.org In Geneva: +41 22 917 929, email sonia.cuesta@un.org and robert.vaughan@un.org CC: hrc-wg-business@un.org For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts please contact Renato de Souza (renato.rosariodesouza@un.org) and Dharisha Indraguptha (dharisha.indraguptha@un.org) Follow news related to the UN’s independent human rights experts on Twitter @UN_SPExperts. Concerned about the world we live in? Then STAND UP for someone’s rights today. #Standup4humanrights and visit the web page at http://www.standup4humanrights.org