Before I discuss Unilever CEO Paul Polman’s reply to our follow-up letter, let me say a couple things.
Unilever is the third largest consumer goods company in the world. They have made major investments in Myanmar, totalling several times the amount the US government gives them in foreign aid.
Unilever has been very keen to polish its image as a socially responsible company precisely because it has historically been one of the least socially responsible companies in the world; and they have faced condemnation from community activists almost everywhere they go.
Unilever incorporated extremist Buddhist symbols in their advertising in Rakhine state, where the Buddhists are massacring the Rohingyas. It is very likely because of the backlash from this action that Paul Polman signed a letter of concern back in December regarding the Rohingya issue.
We knew from the beginning, and as I have always written about this strategy, that this is a negotiation. Corporations are not moral entities. They are not charities. And they are not human rights organizations. As in any negotiation, both sides will push for what they want, and resist what the other is demanding; there will be offers and counter-offers, and eventually, either both sides will compromise, or the negotiations will collapse. In our scenario, when negotiations collapse, disruption is initiated.
My analysis of Polman’s reply to our follow-up letter is that he would very much like for us to leave Unilever alone. He signed a letter of concern about the Rohingyas, and he wants this gesture to be sufficient.
He said that he plans to raise the issue with the authorities in Myanmar next week, and to discuss it with Aung Sun Suu Kyi, but other than that, he said Unilever will “stay the course”. He said that Unilever has done more than others on this issue, and that we should target those companies that have not shown any interest in the plight of the Rohingyas. In other words: “please go away”.
He has revealed in this response that yes, Unilever is sensitive to public condemnation, they are concerned about their reputation, and they can be pressured.
When genocide is ongoing, “staying the course” is precisely what must not happen.
We have sent another reply tonight plainly stating that we need Unilever to issue a public statement regarding the Rohingyas and calling for an end to all forms of state repression, discrimination and violence.
I urge all of you to send as many messages as possible to:
.@PaulPolman
@LouiseOFresco
@YoungmeMoon
@MarcelaManubens
@Unilever
Asking for Unilever to publicly condemn the genocide of the Rohingyas. Be polite and civil, and maintain a positive tone at this stage, and we will see their response.