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8 Nov 2017

Sierra Leone: Report finds investors failed to conduct human rights due diligence prior to exiting development project; incl. company comments

Swedwatch's report entitled 'No Business, no rights: Human rights impacts when land investments fail to include responsible exit strategies. The case of Addax Bioenergy in Sierra Leone', alleges that Swedish DFI Swedfund, and the Dutch equivalent FMO among others, pulled out from Addax Bioenergy, an extensive and high-profile sustainable project in Sierra Leone without performing adequate human rights due diligence prior to their exit, jeopardising local communites' livelihoods and food security. All companies involved were contacted by Swedwatch during the research process and offered the chance to read and comment on the report before publication. The statements are available on Swedwatch’s website here.

The report highlights the need for investors to establish and fulfil responsible exit strategies regarding development projects. It also includes a foreword by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, Hilal Elver.