In a public letter dated 29 August 2019, Dachverband Kritische Aktionäre (Association of Ethical Shareholders Germany), AK Rohstoffe (Natural resources working group) and Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland e.V. (German Association for the Environment and the Protection of Nature) called on Siemens and Thyssenkrupp to not engage in mining activities in indigenous territories in Brasil through supplying equipment (in German, available below).

The organisations are concerned about the ongoing destruction of the Amazon for industrial and economic gain, driven largely by President Bolsanaro's policies, and the impact this has on the environment and indigenous peoples whose territory and land are under threat. Specifically, they call on Siemens and Thyssenkrupp to 

• Declare publicly that they will not supply any machines or services for mining activities in indigenous territories in Brazil
• Ensure that products they import are not linked to land grabbing 
• Commit to human rights and in particular the rights of indigenous people in the Amazon.

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited Siemens and Thyssenkrupp to comment and provide a full statement in response to the letter. Their responses are available below.