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

14 Mar 2021

Author:
Mei Mei Chu, Thomson Reuters Foundation

NGO exits Sime Darby Plantation rights panel over company's lawsuit

See all tags

14 March 2021

Non-profit Shift said it has left Sime Darby Plantation Bhd's new human rights commission after the Malaysian palm oil giant sued an activist, potentially dealing a blow to its fight against a U.S. import ban over forced labour accusations.

An activist said he is also considering leaving the two-week-old panel after the world's largest sustainable palm oil producer sued Liberty Shared managing director Duncan Jepson, in connection with claims of worker abuse.

...

Sime Darby formed the rights panel on March 1 but on Thursday it said it has begun U.S. legal action against Jepson, who heads Hong Kong-based anti-trafficking group Liberty Shared, seeking information about his complaint to Malaysia's Securities Commission.

The complaint has led to an investigation into the company's sustainability disclosures. Liberty Shared successfully petitioned the U.S. Customs and Border Protection last year to ban Sime Darby products, citing evidence of labour abuse.

...

"Following the events of the last few days, we have regrettably decided to withdraw from the company's Expert Stakeholder Human Rights Assessment Commission," Francis West, business engagement director at U.S-based Shift, told Reuters on Friday.

Shift works with companies to implement the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Another member of the commission, prominent migrant-rights activist Andy Hall, is considering doing the same if Sime Darby persists with the litigation.

"I am deeply concerned on the impact of this ongoing litigation against a human rights activist on the possibility for the human rights commission to function effectively according to its goals, and to conduct its work objectively and respectably," Hall told Reuters on Saturday.

...

Timeline