Human rights

Human rights are the cornerstone of a just and inclusive society. MEAG supports fundamental principles for the protection and furtherance of human rights and is committed to respecting human rights in everything we do. 

Due to our value chain, our focus is on the following human rights, which we expect our employees and partners to respect:

  • The right to healthy, safe and dignified working conditions 
  • The right to equality and to not be discriminated against
  • The right to adequate living conditions through the protection of living spaces

As a basic precaution to protect these rights, MEAG does not invest in manufacturers of banned weapons, or in bonds of countries with a "CCC" rating from the data provider MSCI ESG Research LLC.

Investment decisions made by an asset manager can have far-reaching consequences. By taking human rights into account in our investment processes, MEAG ensures that companies we invest in uphold and respect the rights of their employees, stakeholders and the societies in which they operate. 

Incorporating human rights into investment decisions also improves risk management. Companies that respect human rights are more likely to maintain stable relationships with their stakeholders, have reduced reputational risks and exhibit greater resilience. By aligning MEAG's investments with the principles of human rights, we aim to contribute to sustainable and responsible economic growth.

The MEAG ESG Committee regularly analyses portfolio companies that have attracted attention because they have serious violated the ten principles of the UN Global Compact or the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, and it issues specific instructions to our portfolio managers based on these analyses.

We believe that considering human rights when making investment decisions is not only a moral duty, but also a strategic imperative. We want our commitment to human rights to exert a positive influence on society, promote sustainable development and create added value for customers and stakeholders. 

MEAG is actively involved in the PRI Advance stewardship initiative together with other investors to promote best practices, transparency and accountability on human rights issues.

MEAG underpins its responsibility in matters of human rights by recognising the following international guidelines and standards in the Group-wide Code of Conduct:

  • The International Bill of Human Rights, consisting of:
    • The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
    • The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
    • The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
  • The ILO (International Labour Organization) Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
  • The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
  • The 10 principles of the UN Global Compact
  • The Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
  • The investor statement of the stewardship initiative PRI Advance