Human rights in European financial institutions

A new report from GSEM members Dorothée Baumann-Pauly and Berit Knaak examines how financial institutions in Europe integrate human rights into their core business activities. This report is part of a longitudinal study conducted since 2020 by the Geneva Center for Business and Human Rights (GCBHR) and Finance and Human Rights (FaHR), based on a survey and interviews with industry experts.

The findings show a growing awareness of human rights responsibilities, but most institutions remain reactive, responding to external pressures rather than taking proactive steps. Structural gaps and a lack of reliable, standardized data further hinder effective human rights due diligence.

The report recommends strengthening internal human rights management, increasing leverage over investee companies, and improving industry standards and data quality. It also highlights the role of policymakers, trade organizations, and clients in advancing responsible finance, calling for a more proactive and structured approach.

A Professor at the GSEM’s Institute of Management, Director of the Geneva Center for Business and Human Rights, and Research Director at the NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights, Dorothée Baumann-Pauly’s research focuses on corporate responsibility and business ethics with an emphasis on extensive practical experience.

Berit Knaak is a Senior Research Associate at the Geneva Center for Business and Human Rights. Her research focuses on corporate perspectives on human rights and strategies for business engagement with human rights issues.

> To read the full report, please click here.