SteconFer SA is a Portuguese railway construction company, construction and public works.
It is also the only society in the country to emerge on the UN “blacklist” with companies in Luxembourg, Spain, the United States, the Netherlands, France, China, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada and, in the vast majority, Israel.
“Companies must assume the responsibility of respecting human rights under the widely accepted international standardsIn addition to ensuring compliance with national human rights laws and regulations, ”the UN recommends in the report now released. Airbnb, Booking.com, Motorola Solutions and Trip Advisor are some of the international companies included on the list.
Steconfer has reacted, ensuring having a “neutral and apolitical role” in the countries where it operates and asking to be removed from this United Nations database.
The company “It has no direct contractual relationship with the Israeli government or any government authority in the region”he assured a letter to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to which Lusa had access.
“Its role is strictly limited to the technical execution of works as subcontracted of large engineering, acquisition and construction contractors,” he added.Steconfer asks UN Reconsidere
Ensuring having a “commitment to the defense of human rights, international law and the values of transparency and peace”, SteconFer states that it operates in more than 15 countries, “providing public transport systems with the objective of improving the mobility, sustainability and well-being of the community.”
The company also emphasizes that did not provide any equipment or material directly to the Israelite settlers and that all materials used were purchased and delivered exclusively under the Light Train Project on Carris de Jerusalem.
In addition, the company “does not have, controls or explores the natural resources of the region” and has a “strict policy of neutrality”, abstaining from being involved “in discourses or political decisions in conflict-sensitive regions,” says the letter.
SteconFer will now launch a mechanism to “identify, evaluate and mitigate potential risks to human rights associated with territories under international dispute.”
In the same letter, The company based in Santarém asks the UN to reconsider its inclusion in the list, because “it has no intention of benefiting economically from colonates and is taking proactive measures to align its operations with international human rights standards. “
C/ LUSA
