Human rights working group

The Human Rights Working Group (HRWG) was officially established in 2014 to provide strategic and technical advice to support the successful and effective implementation of the relevant RSPO Principles and Criteria (P&C), in particular, criteria and indicators which relate to human rights.

RSPO and its members acknowledge their responsibility to respect human rights, complementing the State’s duty to protect human rights and provide access to remedy for human rights abuse victims. The HRWG has been tasked to oversee the implementation of all human rights criteria within the RSPO by providing guidance to the RSPO and its members and relevant stakeholders. In this regard, the HRWG will oversee the development of guidelines, tools and mechanisms to facilitate proper understanding and support the successful and effective implementation of the RSPO Principles and Criteria, related to human rights.

The HRWG’s work will be guided by the following goals from 2021 to 2023:

  • RSPO has a Human Rights Due Diligence framework in place, and it is implemented by its members;
  • Workers (plantations and mills) and smallholders exercise their rights to safe and decent work and living conditions;
  • Customary and legal land rights of indigenous peoples, local communities and other users are respected, advanced and disputes are remedied;
  • Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) are implemented and promoted.

Members

Co-chairs
Eva Smulders (CNV)

Renaka Ramachandran (Sime Darby Plantation Berhad)
Growers
Goodhope Asia Holdings Ltd.

Agropalma Group

Sime Darby Plantation Berhad

Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad

Bumitama Agri Ltd.
Processors & Traders
Wilmar International Limited

Cargill Incorporated

Musim Mas Holdings Pte. Ltd.

Fuji Oil Group

Bunge Limited
Social NGOs
Oxfam International

Forest Peoples Programme

Stichting CNV Internationaal

Federasi Serikat Buruh Kehutanan, Perkebunan dan Pertanian Serikat Buruh Sejahtera Indonesia (Hukatan)
Consumer Goods Manufacturers
Mars, Incorporated

Unilever PLC

Kellogg Company
Environmental NGO
WWF
Financial Institutions
NN Investment Partners Holdings N.V.

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