...Due to these apparent inconsistencies, we are requesting a clarification from Danone on whether it intends to continue operating in the Russian market. These activities risk enabling and financing Russia’s violations of IHL and human rights law during the ongoing invasion and occupation of Ukraine and violating Danone’s commitment to abiding by the UNGPs. It remains to be seen how directly Danone will be impacted by the partial nationalisation, partial mobilisation, and the heightened legal, regulatory, operational, and financial risks associated with companies being required to provide direct support to the internationally sanctioned Russian military.

We seek to understand how Danone has conducted and continues to conduct heightened human rights due diligence and how the findings of such a process have resulted in these continued business activities and relationships. As noted by the UNGPs:

…the more severe the abuse, the more quickly the enterprise will need to see change before it takes a decision on whether it should end the relationship. In any case, for as long as the abuse continues and the enterprise remains in the relationship, it should be able to demonstrate its own ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact and be prepared to accept any consequences – reputational, financial or legal – of the continuing connection...