Corporación Dinant statement on plantation invasions

31 July, 2015

Earlier today, the Honduran Government’s Xatruch Task Force - acting in accordance with the law and with no involvement by Corporación Dinant - peacefully removed approximately 30 trespassers who had illegally invaded and occupied Dinant’s “La Occidental” African Palm plantation in the Bajo Aguán. Later on, an illegal invasion occurred at Dinant’s “San Isidro” planation, and the legal process for eviction was followed by our company, with the result that when authorities arrived at the site, the trespassers have already left the premises. In both cases, no violence has been reported by either the Government security forces or the invaders. As part of the company’s commitment to the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, Dinant’s security guards do not carry firearms, nor confront groups that invade its land. Roger Pineda, spokesperson for Dinant, said, “I congratulate the Government authorities for their peaceful eviction of the illegal trespassers at La Occidental. I am also glad, that in the case of the San Isidro plantation, when authorities arrived, the trespassers have already voluntarily left the premises. In accordance with our security procedures, Dinant is already documenting and investigating both invasions.” Dinant, in the past was regularly the victim of illegal invasions and occupations of its plantations, sometimes by trespassers armed with illegal semi-automatic weapons. Evictions of trespassers have always been undertaken exclusively by Government security forces acting under direct instruction from the Honduran courts, whose rulings are based on evidence that proves beyond doubt that Dinant are the rightful owners of the lands in question, or in accordance with the Honduran legal framework established to protect private lands from trespassing. Mr. Pineda continued, “Dinant is not in conflict with genuine peasant associations - we source raw materials from smallholder farmers, we rely on local communities to maintain and harvest our crops, and we are committed to helping find a long-term solution to the land conflicts. However, we are aware that externally funded political extremists are exploiting the land conflicts for their wider political objectives by encouraging others to occupy private lands by force. Unfortunately, we are anticipating further attempts to invade our land over the next few days – perhaps on a massive scale – as political extremists try to bring chaos to Honduras. We shall not be deflected from our commitment to the people of this country.” About Corporación Dinant Dinant is a family-owned consumer products manufacturer founded in Honduras in 1960 by Miguel Facusse Barjum. Its products are sold throughout Central America and the Dominican Republic, and exported to global markets. Dinant employs 8,000 people, supports over 22,000 livelihoods, generates millions of US dollars in exports for the Honduran economy, and contributes significantly to all communities in which it operates. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tegucigalpa, Honduras, July 31, 2015 Contact: Roger Pineda, roger.pineda@dinant.com, +(504) 2239-8800

Corporación Dinant statement on plantation invasions

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