In Colombia, the EU in coordination with Member States, has set business and human rights as a strategic priority of its external action on human rights. The issue was addressed during the EU-Colombia Human Rights Dialogue in July 2016 and the EU is working with the Colombian Government and civil society on the implementation of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, adopted in December 2015.

There is also an ongoing dialogue with Colombian authorities and with civil society organisations on labour rights, including in the context of the implementation of the trade and sustainable development Chapter of the EU-Colombia Trade Agreement. The European Parliament's resolution on corporate liability for serious human rights abuses in third countries will be taken into account in these processes.

As regards European businesses' impacts in third countries, the Commission has taken a number of measures on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) through different internal and external policies. The Commission announced it will also intensify its work in this area, as per the November 2016 Communication ‘Next steps for a sustainable European future - European action for sustainability'(1).

For example, technical assistance under the Partnership Instrument is been made available to support the preparation of National Action Plans (NAPs) and/or to promote responsible business conduct, including in certain Latin American countries. The European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) has also specifically targeted the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) via a global call for proposals in 2016.

(1) COM(2016) 739 final of 22 November 2016.