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Article

21 Jun 2018

Author:
HondurasDelegation Germany - Austria et al.

Open letter to Geppert Hydropower

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[unofficial translation by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

According to information on your homepage, "Geppert Hydropower" supplies Pelton turbines to the hydropower plant "Los Planes" in Honduras (Tela, Atlántida)... [W]e [...] strongly urge you to

  • Immediately halt the delivery of turbines
  • Carry out a thorough human rights risk assessment and
  • Subsequently terminate all current contracts with the Honduran company "Hidroeléctrica Centrales El Progreso" (Hidrocep).

As a turbine supplier for "Los Planes", Geppert Hydropower plays an essential part in the implementation of a hydropower project with a wrongful permit and the construction of which has already caused enormous environmental damage. The drinking water supply of about 20,000 people at the lower reaches of the Rio Mezapa was and remains significantly affected. Human rights due diligence, as enshrined in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, sets the standard for business action, both on a national and international level. It also sets out the responsibility of Geppert Hydropower to ensure respect for human rights throughout your entire business operations, including business partners...