,[BYD’s] The revelations show a serious lack of transparency on human rights due diligence in its battery supply chains,” Amnesty’s Callamard said. “Other low-scoring companies, such as Hyundai and Mitsubishi, lack the necessary depth and information about implementation in key human rights due diligence areas.”
“The commitments these companies report on are often vague and provide little evidence of meaningful action, suggesting they still have a long way to go to meet international standards,” Callamard said. “
While companies such as Renault and GM have stated their commitment to human rights, and rank higher than some of the lowest scoring companies, they still provide limited evidence of fully integrating these commitments into their supply chain operations. Little is known about their risk assessment, according to the Recharge for Rights report.
BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla and VW “have more to do to identify actual and potential human rights risks”. [their] supply chain,” Amnesty said, but the fact that they achieved a “medium” score “should stand as a model for others to follow,” Recharge for Rights said.
self compliance
Six of the 13 companies included in the Recharge for Rights report responded to WIRED, insisting that they take the issues raised by Amnesty seriously. BMW, GM, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Hyundai all sent statements regarding their poor scoring.
Mitsubishi said Amnesty's report was based on information from 2023, “but we have initiated several efforts since then.” The Japanese company said these measures include “using AI to analyze potential connections with suppliers related to conflict minerals and other issues.”
Nissan provided WIRED with its Sustainability Data Book, which covers mineral-sourcing best practices, saying the company respects “the human rights of all stakeholders” and complies with “applicable laws, regulations and standards.” .
“Our supply chain compliance program sets the highest standards,” Hyundai said, adding that it is “committed to a sustainable, ethical supply chain that upholds human rights, environmental protection and safety.”
Mercedes-Benz said, “We have been committed for years to respecting human rights, even beyond legal requirements,” underlining that it “ranked best among the automobile manufacturers assessed” in the Amnesty report.
BMW pointed WIRED to the group's compliance management documents. General Motors said it is committed to “sustainable and responsible sourcing of goods and services”. A Ford spokesperson offered to be interviewed over a Zoom-style call, but, at the agreed upon time, did not appear.
history of criticism
Digging for minerals can be highly profitable mining Companies, but the people who live near these resources rarely benefit. For some Brazilian communities, that changed after a court case last month that will be closely studied by industries that depend on such minerals, including Automotive sector,
The largest class action in English history was Filed in London on 21 OctoberA claim involving 700,000 individuals seeking redress following the catastrophic tailings dam breach on the Doce River in southeastern Brazil in 2015. Nine years later, the Doce River – which the Kranak indigenous people worship as a deity – is still poisoned by toxins related to the iron ore mine deluge.