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 framework in place, and it is implemented by 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 applied and promoted.

Members of the Human Rights Working Group

Growers

Guide to Free, Prior and Informed Consent for RSPO members