Conversations on Business and Human Rights from Around the World
• In this series, activists, business executives, government officials, lawyers, and academics from around the world share topical and current stories of businesses impacting people in their everyday lives. Developed by the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB), this series elevates the range of voices – governments, businesses, and civil society – in the discussion on how to make human rights part of everyday business.
Erik Hagen and Asria Mohamed on Lack of Corporate Consent in Western Sahara
2019-11-23
Morocco's occupation of Western Sahara is illegal under international law. Businesses have continued to operate in Western Sahara despite international opinion, including from the United Nations, posing profound questions about business activity in Western Sahara. International law does not prohibit business activity in occupied territories, but there are strict rules to be followed, including ensuring that the operations are with the consent of the local people and 'plunder', 'pillage' and other forms of profiteering are violation of international laws. Human rights groups, such as the Western Sahara Resource Watch (WSRW), have been monitoring business conduct in Western Sahara and investigated corporate conduct, including naming companies that act in ways that undermine international standards.
Salil Tripathi of IHRB spoke to Erik Hagen and Asria Mohamed of WSRW recently, where they spoke about the conditions in which refugees live, the manner in which business takes place, the conditions under which trade and investment can take place, and the roles and responsibilities of companies that operate in occupied territories. Operating in such territories raises significant challenges for companies which must undertake enhanced due diligence. Asria is a journalist who grew up in a refugee camp and now lives in Norway. Erik chairs WSRW and has undertaken investigations and edited a book, Profit over Peace in Western Sahara.
