Companies based in G20 countries still operate in Russia, despite final Summit declaration condemning attacks against civilians and infrastructure

Since the start of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre has been closely monitoring company activity and the private sector response. According to KSE database, more than 440 companies exited the Russian market, while over 1390 companies withdrew or suspended their operations.

In November 2024, G20 members adopted a final summit declaration where they reaffirmed that “[...] all parties must comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and in this respect, [they] condemn all attacks against civilians and infrastructure [...]”.

Under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), companies are expected to conduct ongoing human rights due diligence to identify, prevent and address adverse human rights impacts associated with their business activities. Since the risk of gross human rights abuses is heightened in conflict-affected areas businesses operating in those areas should conduct a ‘heightened’ version of human rights due diligence. Heightened human rights due diligence (hHRDD) means identifying potential and actual impacts of business activities on people (human rights) as well as on the context (conflict). Businesses must also avoid contributing to violations of international humanitarian law.

That's why we invited companies from Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa that still operate in Russia to respond to the following questions:

1. What steps has your company taken to ensure you can identify human rights risks associated with your activities in Russia as well as impacts of your activities on people and the conflict?
2. What measures has your company taken to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law?
3. What have been the key factors informing your decision to stay in the Russian market rather than suspend or cease operations?
4. Since your company decided to continue operations in Russia, how does it mitigate the risk of contributing to or being directly linked to the armed conflict?

We reached out to 19 companies with operations in Russia. Barloworld, Binbit, Cemex, Embraer, Gruma, Grupo Bimbo, Grupo Omnilife, HStern, Kidzania, Lacteos San Ignacio, Ledesma, Mabe, Natura & Co, Orbia, Petroleum Oil and Gas Corporation of South Africa (PetroSA), Romi S.A., South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa), WEG S.A. did not respond.

Aspen Pharmacare responded that they had reduced their operations in Russia and was not selling products to the Russian military.