In September 2025, Canada’s National Contact Point (NCP) for Responsible Business Conduct, which is responsible for reviewing complaints regarding non-observance of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, published a follow-up statement in the case East Africa Metals Inc. and United Tegaru Canada.

United Tegaru Canada, represented by Human Rights Action Group, had filed a request for review on September 10, 2022 claiming that by paying taxes and licence fees to the Government of Ethiopia, East Africa Metals Inc. had been contributing to adverse human rights impacts caused by government forces in the context of the Tigray conflict. The NCP had published its final statement on June 7, 2024, in which it recommended (1) “that the Respondent communicate more about its human rights due diligence and wider responsible business conduct activities, as appropriate to the scope and nature of its operations” and (2) “that the Respondent give ongoing consideration to how its policy commitment to human rights and expectations in that regard were communicated and fulfilled in the context of its business relationships.”

The September 2025 follow-up acknowledged that East Africa Metals had in June 2024 announced the negotiation of a Relocation Action Plan for the Mato Bula and Da Tambuk mine development projects to “minimize any negative impact of displacement and ensure fair compensation for disruption to agricultural lands”. The NCP urged East Africa Metals to “continue conducting human rights due diligence in line with the OECD Guidelines, and to give ongoing consideration to the NCP’s earlier recommendations.”

Human Rights Action Group welcomes these statements, which demonstrate the NCP’s important role in working with complainants and corporate entities alike to ensure compliance with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.