Takes o nly 15 minu tes! Aerial view of deforestation. Rainforest being removed to make way for palm oil and rubber plantations
Credit: Shutterstock/Richard Whitcombe
This should be illegal Our legal system is fatally flawed, and people are suffering. Almost everything we buy, ffrom clothing to food to technology, is at least partly made overseas. We are huge supporters of international trade – but only when it is just. From mining to fashion to agriculture, people who work in our supply chains are being abused and the businesses responsible, the people profiting from the abuse, are getting away with it. Businesses don’t do anything to stop these abuses from happening because they don’t have to. In the UK, our laws don’t hold businesses accountable for crimes committed in their supply chains and operations overseas. There is no accountability to those they have harmed. Rape, assault, slavery, child labour, environmental destruction and even death, all ignored by our justice system
because they happen abroad. Businesses not only avoid culpability, they profit from these abuses. While companies trying to do the right thing are undercut by these abhorrent practices. But we can change this. Together with trade unions, activists, businesses, investors, and other charities, Traidcraft Exchange is calling for a new law that would put a stop to these practices. The Business, Human Rights and Environment Act will require businesses to prevent abuses from occurring, punish companies if abuses take place, compensate victims and where possible clean up and restore the damage caused. Join us, the Corporate Justice Coalition and a host of other organisations fighting for a new law to hold business and the public sector to account when they fail to prevent supply chain human rights abuses and environmental harms. Sign our petition at traidcraftexchange.org/ business-human-rights-act
Mathew Kaminyoge and family, Tanzania. Traidcraft Exchange/Michael Goima
A gift that lasts By making a gift to Traidcraft Exchange in your will, you can invest in a better future for generations to come, working towards a world where everyone gets a fair share of the profits from trade. The time has never been better to consider leaving a legacy. We have partnered with expert will writers, Guardian Angel, to make leaving this kind of long-lasting impact even easier.
With Guardian Angel you can write your will online for FREE – go to: gawill.uk/traidcraft2022 and follow the stepby-step support. Their team of legal experts check over each online will, which is legally binding when it’s printed and signed by a witness, saving you time and stress. Or if you prefer, they also offer face-to-face or phone service on: 0800 773 4014. traidcraftshop.co.uk
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