VW says taking Brazil human rights probe seriously

BERLIN (Reuters) – German carmaker Volkswagen stated on Sunday it was taking severely an investigation by Brazil’s public prosecutors into alleged human rights violations within the nation as reported by German media.

“We will guarantee you that we take the doable occasions at Fazenda Rio Cristalino, to which the investigation by the Brazilian investigating authorities refers, very severely,” Volkswagen stated in an emailed assertion, referring to a cattle farm in Brazil.

The Sueddeutsche Zeitung paper and public broadcaster NDR on Sunday reported that Brazil is investigating alleged human rights violations on the farm throughout 1974-1986 when the army dictatorship was in energy in Brazil.

NDR reported that Brazil’s army authorities made a proposal to VW to purchase and develop the land.

“Please perceive that we aren’t commenting additional as a result of doable authorized proceedings in Brazil,” VW stated.

(Reporting by Zuzanna Szymanska and Kirsti Knolle. Modifying by Jane Merriman)