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Article

3 Oct 2016

Author:
Louise Voller, Danwatch

Google investors “deeply concerned” over human rights violations in Kenyan wind project

Google is preparing to acquire a large share in Kenya’s…Lake Turkana Wind Power project, but the deal is mired in accusations of violations of indigenous peoples’ rights and a court case over illegal land acquisition. In a leaked letter obtained by Danwatch, Google investors say they are “deeply concerned”…In the letter…thirty-eight investors express their unease over reports of human rights violations in connection with the Lake Turkana Wind Power project…According to the UN’s Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, it is the state’s responsibility to protect human rights, and the company’s responsibility to respect them…[Steve] Heim[, managing director of Boston Asset Management, a longtime investor in Google] urges…“…it goes against human rights to go forward with this…So, even if it slows down the project at this point, the consortium should try to renegotiate with the communities…” Google has not responded to Danwatch’s request for comment…