The Institute recommends a stronger and more actionable human rights policy for IFU

IFU’s draft human rights policy demonstrates IFU’s commitment to clarify its human rights responsibility and to align its due diligence practices with the substantive and procedural standards outlined in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). IFU’s invitation for external feedback is much welcomed and a good continuation of the dialogue IFU has been developing with external stakeholders.

As a subpolicy to IFU’s recently endorsed Sustainability Policy it is key that the human rights policy adds value to what IFU already has in place by taking additional steps to clarify to internal and external readers how IFU implements respect for human rights in its activities and operations. In order to ensure this, the Institute recommends that IFU a) adds more granularity around the practical implications of commitments made; b) recognises and unfolds in which way respect for human rights is key to ensuring development outcomes; c) identifies and addresses any deviation from international standards and d) continues to engage in dialogue around the implementation of the new policies, including to ensure that action planning will successfully mainstream human rights due diligence across IFU’s activities and operations.

These are among the key messages and recommendations stated by the Danish Institute for Human Rights in a public comment on IFU’s draft human rights policy. IFU has invited the institute along with other stakeholders to comment on its policy.