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Article

19 Feb 2019

Author:
International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)

Study ranks EU states on human rights performance to help guide responsible investment decisions

On what criteria should investment decisions be made? How should states rank when it comes to non-financial information? What indicators should be used? The objective of the present study is to establish a methodology and classification system that will allow investors to take into account how states are fulfilling their obligations to respect, protect and promote human rights in their decisions, both at home and abroad...

The study ranks the 28 EU Member States on the basis of 67 human rights and 15 environmental indicators, with the aim that responsible investors act on this assessment in order to encourage states to improve their human rights performance...

For many investors, extra-financial considerations are now an essential element of decision-making. ESG (environmental, social and governance) criteria are increasingly integrated into decision-making processes for investment or divestment in companies. FIDH’s study subjects the issuers of state bonds, central to portfolio management, to a rigorous evaluation of human rights commitments.

Concern to support responsible business practices has focused primarily on the performance of business enterprises. Little attention has been paid to the non-financial performance of sovereign states. FIDH has persistently highlighted this crucial area of interest for investment purposes.