Read the final statement issued by the Australian NCP - 9 July 2019
On 27 October 2016, Australian Women Without Borders (AWWB), an NGO, submitted a specific instance to the Australian NCP alleging that Mercer PR had breached the Human Rights chapter of the OECD Guidelines through the public relations work it performed for the Government of the Republic of Nauru. The specific instance was submitted as a result of Mercer PR’s distribution of the personal information of an alleged sexual assault victim.
In February 2018, the NCP accepted the specific instance and offered its good offices. The NCP held separate meetings with each party to discuss the matter. A joint facilitated discussion was originally agreed to, but Mercer PR later withdrew its agreement to participate.
On 9 July 2019, the NCP concluded the case, issued a final statement. The final statement notes that while Mercer PR is a very small enterprise, the Australian Government expects that all Australian enterprises operating overseas meet its standards, including the OECD Guidelines and recommends that Mercer PR’s executive undertake human rights training. The Australian NCP will undertake follow-up on its recommendation after six months of concluding the case.