Discusses the human rights issues raised by large-scale land deals for plantation agriculture (‘land grabbing’) in low and middle-income countries. Finds that it is a serious issue requiring urgent attention. Conceptualises the link between land deals and human rights, reviews relevant international human rights law and discusses evidence on actual and potential human rights impacts. Finds that important human rights dimensions are at stake and that compressions of human rights have been documented in some contexts. Identifies areas of EU policy most directly relevant to addressing the human rights impacts of ‘land grabbing’, discusses developments in home and host countries and internationally. Proposes courses of action by which the EU and the European Parliament can further prevent or remedy human rights violations linked to large-scale land deals.