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Papua: Overseas Companies

Asked by Alex SobelLabour (Co-op)Foreign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled Answered 14 January 2026UIN 103389

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to help ensure that UK companies operating in West Papua respect the rights of Indigenous peoples and prevent adverse environmental or human rights impacts, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Answered by Seema Malhotra

The UK Government takes seriously any concerns about environmental and human rights impacts linked to British businesses operating abroad. We regularly engage with both the Government of Indonesia and UK companies to promote responsible business conduct and uphold international standards.

The UK is a signatory to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, which promote responsible business conduct globally. Our National Contact Point allows individuals and organisations to raise concerns about UK-linked corporate behaviour overseas.

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