We refer to your correspondence and the references to Emirates NBD Bank PJSC and its affiliates and/or subsidiaries (“Emirates NBD”) in the draft report.

Emirates NBD takes matters relating to human rights, labour standards and responsible business conduct very seriously. Emirates NBD conducts its business in accordance with applicable laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which it operates, as well as relevant international standards, and maintains governance frameworks designed to promote responsible business conduct and respect for human rights.

Emirates NBD strongly objects to the statement that it is “directly linked to the abuse through financing the projects”, and to any similar statement or implication. This is a serious, prejudicial and unsupported and potentially defamatory characterisation. It risks creating the false impression that Emirates NBD is involved in or connected with the alleged human rights abuses, when no factual basis for such an implication has been provided.

Accordingly, Emirates NBD requests that all references to Emirates NBD, including any suggestion that it is “directly linked” to the alleged abuses, be removed from the report.

Emirates NBD reserves all rights in relation to any inaccurate, misleading or defamatory statements concerning Emirates NBD.