While the international community has immense responsibility to bring the catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza to an end, secure the release of hostages and end occupation, business also has an immediate responsibility to ensure it is not contributing to the massacre of Palestinians in Gaza or exacerbating human suffering across the region.

The Russian military aggression against Ukraine puts a spotlight on businesses operating in the region and their human rights responsibilities. Civil society calls upon companies to conduct heightened human rights due diligence, while some businesses including financial institutions, tech platforms, oil and gas majors are taking steps towards a responsible exit from the Russian market.

Chinese investments abroad have been rising fast since the government launched the “Going Out Policy” (走出去战略) in 1999. Project investments can generate welcome jobs and infrastructure in host countries. Yet they can also be accompanied by the forcible re-location of local communities, environmental pollution, and abuse of workers.