abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Story

11 Apr 2024

Azerbaijan: Bureau Veritas Azeri threatens NGO with defamation lawsuit over publication on alleged labour rights abuses by company; co. didn’t respond

In February 2023, Oil Workers' Rights Protection Organization PU (OWRPO PU) released its 2022 Annual report detailing human rights abuses and environmental pollution by companies in the oil sector in Azerbaijan. The report alleged that Bureau Veritas Azeri had conducted formal and biased layoffs in violation of the labour legislation.

In March 2023, Business & Human Right Resource Centre invited the company to respond to the allegantions, but it didn’t. The report is avaliable here.

In March 2024, the company sent a letter to Oil Workers' Rights Protection Organization claiming that it complied with the legislation and demanded that the NGO undertake corrective measures to mitigate any harm allegedly resulting from the dissemination of the information. The company also threatened to file a defamation lawsuit against OWRPO PU.

Oil Workers' Rights Protection Organization responded to Bureau Veritas Azeri saying that the information provided in the report is accurate, while the company actions are illegal and aimed at restricting the activities of the NGO.

Business and Human Rights Resource Centre invited Bureau Veritas Azeri to respond again. The company did not.

Company Responses

Bureau Veritas Azeri

No Response

Timeline