“If the UK’s commitments to defend human rights are to mean anything, companies must be held accountable for their role in commissioning and benefitting from human rights violations,” the report said. “If UK companies are acting with impunity overseas, they should be tried in UK courts for their human rights violations,” it added. Even Liberia could prosecute human rights violations and environment-related crimes, companies would go to neighboring countries with looser laws and regulations, it added. The charity called for the proper implementation of the Land Rights Act of 2018, which recognizes customary land rights. Moreover, the report called for monitoring and compliance of the palm oil companies and with international laws and standards.

Source: Front Page Africa January 23, 2020 05:37 UTC