…UK authorities have informed Amnesty International that they do not have the tools, resources or expertise to investigate whether the multinational commodities giant Trafigura conspired to dump toxic waste in Côte d’Ivoire…After the dumping more than 100,000 people sought medical attention. Côte d’Ivoire authorities reported at least 15 deaths…“The UK’s failure to act is a further disaster for justice and accountability […]” said Lucy Graham, Legal Adviser in Amnesty International’s Business and Human Rights Team…[The organisation] warns that the Trafigura case is not a one-off, highlighting a series of cases in which powerful UK multinationals have been implicated in serious human rights-related abuses abroad that may violate UK criminal law… Amnesty International is calling for:

• Stronger legislation to hold UK companies directly accountable for serious crimes committed in the context of their global operations unless they can prove efforts to prevent them, akin to foreign bribery rules under the 2010 UK Bribery Act.

• More resources, training and specialized support for investigators dealing with corporate crime.

…Trafigura denies responsibility for the toxic waste dumping and maintains that it believed the local company would dispose of the waste safely and lawfully.