On February 23, 2022, the European Commission published its proposal for a Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). EU-LAT Network welcomed the long-awaited text as another step in the direction of promoting and guaranteeing respect for human rights in Latin America by the European Union. Since the publication of the Commission’s proposal, the Directive has been discussed and amended at the level of both the European Parliament and the Council. Currently, discussions on the Directive are in their final phase of trialogue negotiations between the Commission, Parliament and Council. As trilogue negotiations enter a decisive stage, it is imperative that the financial sector is included in the scope of the law.
This Directive could represent an important contribution to minimizing the negative impacts of business on human rights defenders, rural and indigenous communities, and the environment in Latin America and promote corporate accountability, justice highlighting the difference with the paradigm of CSR.
Through the following report, EU-LAT Network, Broderlijk Delen, Diakonia, Justice et Paix, Oxfam International, Infostelle Peru seek to analyze the situation of Espinar, Peru, as a paradigmatic case that allows us to demonstrate the challenges we are facing and the necessary modifications to the European Commission’s proposal. These elements must be addressed to ensure that both in Espinar and in the rest of Latin America, European companies respect human rights and the environment.
