Scandinavian banks are funding mining projects and palm oil plantations responsible for deforestation and violence, despite the companies' commitments to protecting indigenous peoples' rights, according to a report by campaign group Swedwatch. The paper spoke of a "human rights crisis" on the island of Borneo, and said local populations had faced "threats and intimidation, destruction of agricultural land and violent confrontations as a result of deforestation." In an interview with Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter in April, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven defended his government's support for fossil fuel companies, saying that they were investing billions into developing countries "to help
Scandinavian banks are funding mining projects and palm oil plantations responsible for deforestation and violence, despite the companies' commitments to protecting indigenous peoples' rights, according to a report by campaign group Swedwatch. The paper spoke of a "human rights crisis" on the island of Borneo, and said local populations had faced "threats and intimidation, destruction of agricultural land and violent confrontations as a result of deforestation." Swedish banks Handelsbanken and Nordea, and insurance company Lansforsakringar welcomed the report.