Human rights due diligence in the global defence industry: Lessons from other sectors

Publication date: 17/01/2025

Defence companies face important challenges when attempting to implement Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD), due to the opacity of the arms value chain and also the fact that the most severe risks are situated downstream, being associated with the (mis)use of weapons.

Yet defence companies are not the only ones facing challenges.

In this report, to be downloaded in full here, we explore the ways in which companies in three other sectors (technology, diamonds and non-energy extractives) are trying to deal with similar challenges. Our analysis is structured according to the due diligence processes that were identified in the OECD’s due diligence guidelines, which are universally recognised as the “source code” for due diligence by both companies and legislators. Specifically, these guidelines outline six parallel processes.

1. Identifying and assessing impacts
2. Taking action to mitigate impacts
3. Monitoring the effectiveness of actions
4. Communicating due diligence
5. Policy integration
6. Remediation

These processes are explored in depth in this report.

 

Location: Brussels

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