Implementing the Voluntary Principles
Rio Tinto supports the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights issued in 2000 by the US and UK governments, and was involved in the first steps to develop the principles with the aid of non government organisations.
At Rio Tinto respect for human rights is based on support for the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, respect for human rights provisions enshrined in the laws of countries where the Group operates, and rooted in the approach to local communities set out in our communities policy. That policy is based on the three basic principles of mutual respect, active partnership and long term commitment.
Since before the Group subscribed to the Voluntary Principles, Rio Tinto managers have used policies in our statement of business practice The way we work to develop practical responses to issues of security and human rights. The fact that nearly 90 per cent of the operating assets of the Group are based in OECD member countries, where possible conflicts between security and human rights can be addressed within a supportive and transparent system of law and enforcement, contributed to an ingrained respect for human rights.
In April 2003 Rio Tinto published a revised version of The way we work, incorporating specific references to a number of points emerging from the Voluntary Principles. These included use of security personnel, guidelines and restrictions on the use of force, training, and ensuring that equipment and facilities are not misused. This was followed by the publication in October 2003 of a complementary document the Human rights guidance to provide direction for managers in the field on implementing the human rights policy.
The guidance is much more detailed than the policy. The guidance devotes one of its four main sections to security. It explicitly states that the guidance is drawn from the Voluntary Principles, to which it provides an electronic cross-reference. Rio Tinto has a number of measures in place that seek to ensure that the Voluntary Principles are part of the day to day engagement of Rio Tinto staff at all levels wherever they work.
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