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
Article

23 Mar 2023

Author:
B4Ukraine Coalition

Letter to Kimberly-Clark regarding its ongoing business activities in Russia

We write to you as B4Ukraine, a coalition of Ukrainian and international civil society organizations working to curtail the financial resources enabling the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We expect companies to demonstrate opposition to Russia’s war of aggression, public support for the people, democracy, and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and alignment with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). At stake is not only the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a democratic Ukraine, but also the continuity of the rules-based international order and the prosperity of the global economy.

We request an urgent dialogue regarding potential inconsistencies between...Kimberly-Clark’s...stated policies on human rights and the company’s ongoing business operations and relationships in Russia that may contribute to, or be linked with, human rights harms...

We are requesting a clarification from Kimberly-Clark on whether it intends to continue operating in the Russian market. These activities and the tax contribution to the Russian economy risk enabling and financing Russia’s violations of IHL and human rights law during the ongoing invasion and occupation of Ukraine and violating Kimberly-Clark’s commitment to abiding by the UNGPs. It remains to be seen how directly Kimberly-Clark will be impacted by the partial nationalisation, partial mobilisation, and the heightened legal, regulatory, operational, and financial risks associated with companies being required to provide direct support to the internationally sanctioned Russian military...

Timeline