Guatemala: NGOs ask companies to halt decision to resume palm oil sourcing from REPSA amid failure to consult with indigenous communities affected by ecocide
'Open Letter to All Multinationals Resuming Palm Oil Sourcing from REPSA in Sayaxché, Guatemala despite its failure to consult with and address the grievances of indigenous communities affected by ecocide, intimidation and violations of human rights', 10 June 2021
The undersigned organizations are raising the alarm on decisions made by Cargill, Nestlé and potentially other consumer goods manufacturers and agri-business traders to resume sourcing from Reforestadora de Palma S.A. (REPSA) in Sayaxché, in the Petén department of Guatemala, despite REPSA’s failure to consult with and address the grievances of the communities affected by ecocide and intimidation... By resuming palm oilsourcing from REPSA ... Cargill and Nestlé are once again complicit in the ongoing exploitation of local communities, workers, and the local ecology, as well as betraying the trust of their customers and financial backers... Cargill and Nestlé failed to establish credible and effective monitoring and thirdparty verification processes with all interested parties. Both companies have made a poorly informed and unjustifiable decision to resume sourcing based on incomplete information... Additional disclosure is needed by Unilever, PepsiCo, Ferrero, Mars, Mondelēz, Colgate Palmolive, Wilmar, Oleofinos and AAK on the status of their sourcing from REPSA and the Olmeca Group. These brands and palm oil traders have sourced from REPSA, or are sourcing from Guatemala, and are therefore also at risk of being complicit with ongoing human rights violations and need to take the actions detailed above...