Between 26 June and 3 July, thousands gathered in protest against Rio Tinto's QMM mine in Madagascar, following a compensation and indemnification payment offer by the mining company, which affected communities say falls short of the value of the losses suffered in terms of their environment, health, and lives. As police arrived to disperse the protesters, at least 6 activists were injured and taken to hospital. At least 75 protesters were arrested, as well as 5 trade unionists working for Río Tinto.

Following the protest, arrest warrants were issued against two human rights defenders, Eugène Chretien and Laurent Manjary, from the LUSUD movement set up to look into alleged water contamination by the mine.

The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited Rio Tinto to respond to these allegations. It's responses and rejoinders from civil society organisations Publish What you Pay Madagascar and the Andrew Lees Trust can be found here.