An independent United Nations (UN) human rights expert said ahead of the French energy firm's annual shareholder meeting this Friday.

In a statement, released late on Thursday, Special Rapporteur on environmental defenders Michel Forst said the company must take immediate action to protect activists linked to the East African Crude Oil Pipeline and connected oilfields.

It followed news that German asset manager Union Investment had dropped the company's bonds and shares from its sustainable investment funds over the issue.

Union Investment said it made the decision after reviewing a fresh report from non-profit Just Finance International citing alleged abuses at the Kingfisher oil site in Uganda, part of the pipeline project.

Forst said TotalEnergies had "failed to take effective steps addressing these abuses," adding it was "deeply troubling" that "it has instead consistently rejected the allegations as mere 'misconceptions' of the projects' impact".

As a French company, it was bound by the international Aarhus Convention to ensure individuals were not penalised or harassed for their opposition to the projects, Forst added.

TotalEnergies said in a statement on Friday that it "does not tolerate any threats or violence against those who peacefully defend and promote human rights" and reminds those it works with of its position on the subject.

The company added that it worked with Ugandan authorities "to stress to the Police the need to ensure that due process is followed, the protesters are treated well, and their rights are respected while in detention".

The security team of its local unit also monitors the wellbeing of anyone arrested and ensures their representatives are able to visit them, it said.

Forst backed a call by Union Investment for an independent investigation into the alleged abuses. As well as making the results public and acting on any shortcomings, he also asked the Total to use its leverage to prevent any further attacks.

--Reuters--