British American Tobacco pressured to withdraw from Uzbekistan

A News item from Business Respect, Issue Number 59, dated 13 Jul 2003

British American Tobacco is facing pressure to withdraw from investments in the former USSR state of Uzbekistan following criticisms of the country's human rights record.

The move follows shortly after the UK government asked the company to fulfil the longstanding demand of campaigners by withdrawing from Burma following recent actions by the regime there. BAT has always argued that to withdraw from Burma would be counterproductive.

BAT has a joint venture in Uzbekistan with the regime of President Karimov, whose human rights record has been described as 'dire' by Amnesty International. The approach for the company to withdraw has come from the Hizb ut-Tahrir political party, which is repressed in the country.

BAT said it operated to high standards in Uzbekistan, and retained its belief that judgement over how countries should be governed was not a matter for business.

Rumours have spread that the company will, however, take action on the government's urging over Burma. BAT is the last UK company to remain there.

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