UN Special Rapporteur's Economy of Genocide report
The Tower Hamlets Pension Committee is currently discussing the financial implications of divesting from companies linked to human rights abuses.
Tower Hamlets Council's Pension Committee resolved in September 2026 to adopt a targeted exclusion and divestment approach for companies listed on the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR) database. This decision followed a report presented to the committee on September 15, 2026, which warned that divesting from companies implicated in human rights abuses could impact fund returns.
The report indicated that excluding companies on the UNOHCHR database would have a minimal effect on expected returns, estimated at approximately 0.4% of the index. However, broader exclusions based on other lists could lead to substantial changes in the pension fund's risk and return profile, according to analyses considered by the committee from London CIV and Marsh.
The topic concerns a UN Special Rapporteur's report detailing economic activities related to genocide, which is used for screening purposes. No upcoming meetings are currently scheduled to discuss this topic.
Key facts
- Tower Hamlets Council's Pension Committee resolved to proceed with a targeted exclusion and divestment approach concerning companies listed on the UNOHCHR database in September 2026. Source
- A report presented to the committee on September 15, 2026, warned that divesting from companies implicated in human rights abuses could significantly impact fund returns. Source
- Excluding companies listed on the UNOHCHR database might have a minimal effect on expected returns, approximately 0.4% of the index. Source
- Broader exclusions based on other lists could lead to substantial changes in the fund's risk and return profile. Source
- The committee considered analyses from London CIV and Marsh. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.