London: British bulldozer manufacturer JCB faces mounting criticism following a report accusing the company of abetting illegal demolitions and human rights violations in India, Palestine, and Indian-administered Kashmir.

According to a statement by Kashmir Media Service, the report titled “Stop JCB’s Bulldozer Genocide: A Report on Human Rights Violations in Palestine, India and Kashmir,” was jointly published by human rights organizations, including the South Asia Solidarity Group, South Asia Justice Campaign, Nijjor Manush, and South Asians for Palestine. It was launched at Birkbeck College, University of London.

The report alleges JCB’s involvement in demolition campaigns targeting vulnerable communities, arguing that the company has not complied with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. It urges JCB to cut ties with Israel’s Ministry of Defence, end operations in occupied Kashmir, and ensure its equipment is not used in activities violating human rights.

Activists from affected regions provided testimonies at the report’s launch. Afreen Fatima, an activist from Allahabad, India, described the 2022 demolition of her family home as part of “Hindutva-led terror tactics.”

Palestinian activists Tamara Ezz El-Din Barbar and Sara Maher Fhedat spoke about the persistent threat of demolitions in Silwan and other areas, with Sara recounting the story of her family home, constructed by her late father, who was killed by Israeli forces.

The report also examines JCB owner Anthony Bamford’s connections to the UK Conservative Party and questions his receipt of a Royal Warrant of Appointment from King Charles amid allegations of offshore tax fraud.

Peter Frankental, Director of Economic Affairs at Amnesty International, called for corporations like JCB to be held accountable for facilitating human rights abuses. He emphasized the importance of governments prioritizing human rights over profit.

This publication is part of the JCB Stop Bulldozer Genocide campaign and is available online, intensifying global demands for corporate accountability and immediate action to prevent the misuse of JCB machinery in human rights abuses.