We do not accept that major multinational corporations like #Unilever do not possess the independent power, and indeed the authority, to intervene to stop the #RohingyaGenocide without deferring to the United Nations.
They do not delegate to anyone else when it comes to pushing for trade liberalisation, for more advantageous investment regulations, or for anything else that they view as beneficial to their companies’ interests. Why, when it comes to genocide, do they act as if there is nothing they can do, and they shift all responsibility to the United Nations?
The UN report on atrocities in Arakan is available, independent investigations of gross human rights abuses are available, and the detailed plan for ethnic cleansing written by the Myanmar army is available. Why do companies now think they have to wait and see what the UN will do? The UN does not negotiate your contracts in Myanmar; you do. The UN does not dictate the terms and conditions of your investment in Myanmar; you do.
Multinationals have to stop pretending that they are disinterested, non-political actors on the sidelines of world events, and we have to stop accepting that absurdity. They are political entities with tremendous power and control, and they cannot be allowed to shift responsibility to others when they have already successfully shifted authority to themselves.