Hyundai Construction Equipment (Hyundai Ce) excavators have been documented in the demolition of Palestinian homes and structures in Masafer Yatta, a region in the occupied West Bank, raising concerns about the company’s human rights due diligence. Amnesty International and Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) have reported five separate incidents where Hyundai CE equipment was used by Israeli forces to raze Palestinian property, displacing families and contributing to potential war crimes under international law.
Hyundai CE’s Role in Forced Displacement
These demolitions, part of a larger plan to forcibly transfer some 1,150 Palestinians from Masafer Yatta, constitute a grave violation of international humanitarian law. The organizations documented instances where Hyundai CE’s HX330AL crawler excavator and HW210 wheeled excavator, clearly identifiable by company logos, were used to destroy homes and essential infrastructure. These actions have left families, including children, homeless and without vital resources.
Amnesty International has contacted Hyundai CE and its sole Israeli distributor, EFCO Ltd (EFCO), regarding these findings. While Hyundai CE claims it is not involved in Israeli settlement activities, the company has not provided sufficient details about its human rights due diligence procedures or addressed the specific concerns raised about the use of its equipment in Masafer Yatta. EFCO has not responded to inquiries.
Calls for Accountability and Action
Human rights organizations are urging Hyundai CE to take immediate action to prevent its products from being used in human rights violations. This includes conducting thorough human rights due diligence, implementing robust monitoring mechanisms, and suspending its relationship with EFCO until the distributor can guarantee that Hyundai CE equipment will not be used for unlawful purposes. The international community is also calling on Hyundai CE to publicly commit to respecting human rights and international humanitarian law in all its operations.
The ongoing demolitions in Masafer Yatta represent a critical moment for the Palestinian residents facing imminent displacement. The use of Hyundai CE equipment in these actions raises serious questions about corporate responsibility and complicity in human rights abuses.
The Need for Stronger Human Rights Due Diligence
The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights clearly state that businesses have a responsibility to respect human rights throughout their operations. This includes taking proactive steps to prevent and mitigate potential harm linked to their products or services, even if they are not directly involved in the violations. Experts argue that Hyundai CE’s current due diligence processes have failed to adequately address the risk of its equipment being used in human rights abuses in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The situation in Masafer Yatta underscores the urgent need for businesses operating in conflict zones to prioritize human rights and implement effective due diligence measures. The international community must hold companies accountable for their role in human rights violations and ensure that corporate activities do not contribute to or profit from abuses. The continued demolition of Palestinian homes with Hyundai CE equipment serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of failing to uphold these fundamental principles.
