...We request an urgent dialogue regarding potential inconsistencies between JT International’s obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law and the company’s ongoing business operations and relationships in Russia that may contribute to, or be linked with, human rights harms...

Despite the condemnation of the war and a challenging regulatory environment, JTI continues to manufacture and distribute its products in Russia, even reporting a growth in market share and volume in the country.14 In its 2022 Earnings Report, the company states for Russia: “Core revenue at constant FX increased, driven by a robust price/mix contribution, more than offsetting a negative volume variance.”

In April 2022, JT reportedly considered selling off its Russian operations, JT International Russia, in response to the country's invasion of Ukraine. However, the company continued its operations in the country...

These activities in Russia risk enabling and financing Russia’s violations of IHL and human rights law during the ongoing invasion and occupation of Ukraine.

We seek to understand the status of JTI’s exposure to Russia and how JTI has conducted and continues to conduct heightened human rights due diligence, and how the findings of such a process has resulted in these continued business activities and relationships...