News & Research

Leicester’s sweat shops: abuses in Boohoo’s value chains (UK)
Case Studies Mark Dearn Case Studies Mark Dearn

Leicester’s sweat shops: abuses in Boohoo’s value chains (UK)

When the Sunday Times published an investigation alleging labour exploitation, deplorable working conditions, and illegally low rates of pay – as low as £3.50 an hour – in Leicester-based factories making clothes for Boohoo, it shocked the UK. Find out in our case study how a Business, Human Rights and Environment Act could have made a difference.

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Kabwe: Anglo American’s lead poisoning legacy (Zambia)
Case Studies Mark Dearn Case Studies Mark Dearn

Kabwe: Anglo American’s lead poisoning legacy (Zambia)

For decades, the Kabwe mine was operated without adequate environmental safeguards, leading to lead contamination of the soil. Medical studies conducted over the past 45 years have shown extreme levels of lead in young children which has affected generations with lead encephalopathy and fatal lead poisoning. Find out in our case study how a Business, Human Rights and Environment Act could have made a difference.

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Spyware: activists tortured (Bahrain)
Case Studies Mark Dearn Case Studies Mark Dearn

Spyware: activists tortured (Bahrain)

Surveillance technologies such as FinFisher have been used as a means to exercise political control and to spy on activists, human rights defenders, journalists and dissidents to stifle political opposition and undermine democratic development. Find out in our case study how a Business, Human Rights and Environment Act could have made a difference.

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British American Tobacco and Imperial Brands: child and forced labour on tobacco farms (Malawi)
Case Studies Mark Dearn Case Studies Mark Dearn

British American Tobacco and Imperial Brands: child and forced labour on tobacco farms (Malawi)

Malawi is one of the top five tobacco leaf-producing countries in Africa. Farmers often work under exploitative and hazardous conditions. In certain tobacco producing regions, 57% of children are engaged in child labour on tobacco farms. Find out in our case study how a Business, Human Rights and Environment Act could have made a difference.

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Shell’s impunity for destruction in the Niger Delta (Nigeria)
Case Studies Mark Dearn Case Studies Mark Dearn

Shell’s impunity for destruction in the Niger Delta (Nigeria)

Over a number of decades, oil spills from Shell’s operations led to devastating environmental impacts with disastrous consequences for the local residents. The spills contaminated the communities’ land and waterways which they relied on for farming, drinking, and washing. Find out more details in our case study and how a Business, Human Rights and Environment Act could have made a difference.

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Public procurement of tainted PPE (Malaysia)
Case Studies Mark Dearn Case Studies Mark Dearn

Public procurement of tainted PPE (Malaysia)

Despite serious red flags concerning Supermax’s labour practices and ongoing investigations, NHS Supply Chain named Supermax an approved supplier in December 2021. The US Government had previously introduced import bans on Supermax products based on its finding of forced labour. Find out how a Business, Human Rights and Environment Act could have made a difference.

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UK Government opens consultation on “world-leading” due diligence law
News Michael Spencer News Michael Spencer

UK Government opens consultation on “world-leading” due diligence law

The UK's new Environment Act 2021 (the "Environment Act") introduces a prohibition on the use of "forest risk commodities" in UK commercial activities, unless those commodities have been produced in compliance with local laws. It also introduces due diligence and reporting obligations in relation to "forest risk commodities".

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