The European Union is about to adopt new legislation (referred to as the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive) obliging companies operating in the EU to carry risk assessments of their human rights and environmental impacts. In this context, WILPF and more than 40 NGOs are calling on the European Parliament and EU Member States to ensure that this new legislation fully covers the arms sector and so-called dual-use products (civilian products that can be used for military purposes such as new technologies).
This is important to contribute to filling important gaps when it comes to the accountability of European arms companies, which have for too long evaded scrutiny and accountability and hidden behind States’ arms export authorisations.
The statement also urges EU decision-makers to ensure that the new EU legislation obliges businesses to respect all human rights, and international humanitarian law and to exercise heightened due diligence when operating in conflict-affected and high-risk areas.
The statement is open for signature until 31 March 2023 on this link: