The 14 Worst Corporate Evildoers | International Labor Rights Forum
Corporations carry out some of the most horrific human rights abuses
of modern times, but it is increasingly difficult to hold them to
account. Economic globalisation and the rise of transnationals corporate
power have created a favourable climate for corporate human rights
abusers, which are governed principally by the codes of supply and
demand and show genuine loyalty only to their stockholders.
Several of the companies below are being sued under the Alien Tort
Claims Act, a law that allows citizens of any nationality to sue in US
federal courts for violations of international rights or treaties. When
corporations act like criminals, we have the right and the power to stop
them, holding leaders and multinational corporations alike to the
accords they have signed. Around the world--in Venezuela, Argentina,
India, and right here in the United States--citizens are stepping up to
create democracy and hold corporations accountable to international law.
Caterpillar
For years, the Caterpillar Company has provided Israel with the
bulldozers used to destroy Palestinian homes. Despite worldwide
condemnation, Caterpillar has refused to end its corporate participation
house demolition by cutting off sales of specially modified D9 and D10
bulldozers to the Israeli military.
In a letter to Caterpillar CEO James Owens, The Office of the UN High
Commissioner on Human Rights said: "allowing the delivery of your ...
bulldozers to the Israeli army ... in the certain knowledge that they
are being used for such action, might involve complicity or acceptance
on the part of your company to actual and potential violations of human
rights..."
Peace activist Rachel Corrie was killed by a Caterpillar D-9,
military bulldozer in 2003. She was run over while attempting to block
the destruction a family's home in Gaza. Her family filed suit against
Caterpillar in March 2005 charging that Caterpillar knowingly sold
machines used to violate human rights. Since Corrie's death at least
three more Palestinians have been killed in their homes by Israeli
bulldozer demolitions.
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