Church of England disinvestment from Vedanta: Strong message on human rights is encouraging, says Amnesty ahead of new report

Amnesty International UK today reacted to news that the Church of England is to disinvest from UK-based FTSE 100 company Vedanta Resources.

Amnesty International UK Economic Relations Programme Director Peter Frankental said:

"Amnesty's own research, which will be published next week, shows that Vedanta has failed to respect the human rights of those affected by its operations in Orissa.

"Investors should take strong action when 'constructive engagement' with a company does not result in a change in practice. It is encouraging that the Church of England has sent a strong message to Vedanta that failing to respect human rights is unacceptable".

Amnesty International will release a new report on Tuesday (embargo 04:00 HRS GMT Tuesday 9 February) which exposes serious human rights abuses linked to an aluminium refinery in Orissa, India operated by Vedanta.

Amnesty activists will hold a protest, with demonstrators wrapped in aluminium foil, outside Vedanta’s office at 16 Berkeley Street, London, at 10am on Tuesday 9 February.

Find out more about Amnesty's work on business and human rights