38 to gauge human rights risks can help set the right terms of contract to ensure respect for human rights. Similarly, if an enterprise is involved in a merger or acquisition that brings new projects, activities and relationships into its portfolio, its due diligence processes should include human rights due diligence, beginning with an assessment of any human rights risks it is taking on. Moreover, if an enterprise acquires another enterprise that it identifies as being, or having been, involved in human rights abuses, it acquires the responsibilities of that enterprise to prevent or mitigate their continuation or recurrence. If the enterprise it is acquiring actually caused or contributed to the abuses but has not provided for their remediation, and no other source of effective remedy is accessible, the responsibility to respect human rights requires that the acquiring enterprise should enable effective remediation itself, to the extent of the contribution. Early assessments will be important in bringing such situations to light. BOX 4 Principles for responsible contracts: integrating the management of human rights risks into State-investor contract negotiations guidance for negotiators The principles for responsible contracts identify 10 principles to help States and business investors integrate the management of human rights risks into investment project contract negotiations. Each principle is explained in brief, along with its key implications and a recommended checklist for negotiators. The guide was developed through four years of research and inclusive, multi-stakeholder dialogue carried out under the mandate of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Business and Human Rights, Professor John Ruggie. It reflects the collective experiences of experts involved in major investment projects from Government, commercial enterprises, non-governmental organizations and lending institutions. The 10 principles are: 1. Project negotiations preparation and planning: The parties should be adequately prepared and have the capacity to address the human rights implications of projects during negotiations. 2. Management of potential adverse human rights impacts: Responsibilities for the prevention and mitigation of human rights risks associated with the project and its activities should be clarified and agreed before the contract is finalized.