The European Parliament has just adopted its position on the Commission's Omnibus I package, which aims to "simplify" the EU Supply Chain Directive. Armin Paasch, human rights expert at Misereor, describes the decision as a "disaster for human rights and the EU":

"The EPP and Manfred Weber are using a crowbar to dismantle the EU Supply Chain Directive and at the same time the firewall against right-wing extremists in the European Parliament.

The demanded cancellation of any climate obligations for companies is a devastating signal just a few days after the start of the climate conference in Belem.

The same applies to the cancellation of the EU-wide civil liability rule. The European Parliament is deliberately making it more difficult for those affected to access justice when companies disregard human rights standards and cause damage as a result.

In addition, the directive will only cover companies with 5,000 employees or more. This would relieve 95 per cent of companies in Germany of their responsibility for human rights, which are already implementing the German Supply Chain Act.

Instead of seeking a compromise in the political centre, the EPP deliberately sought and received the support of far-right political groups: a highly dangerous breach of taboo with unforeseeable consequences.

In the upcoming trialogue, Misereor appeals to the German government to take a stand: for human rights and sustainability in the economy, so that the exploitation of people and nature can be effectively combated."