Human rights programmes
Respect for human rights is important for Rio Tinto's business success. Our
employees want to work for a company which acts on its principles, and our
local communities want, as a neighbour, a company which respects their rights.
Many people associate human rights only with torture of political prisoners or
other abuses of power by governments. But human rights, as defined in the
Universal Declaration of human rights, also include economic, social and
cultural rights, such as the right to work, to education, to respect for
culture, and to a decent standard of living.
Rio Tinto supports and protects the dignity, well being and rights of those with
whom it is directly involved: its employees and their families, and the local
communities which are neighbours of its operations. The Group's employment and
communities policies commit operations to making a positive contribution to
their development through a relationship based on mutual respect. Infringements
of their rights by others will be opposed, through dialogue and, where it will
be helpful, in public.
Our procedures for the use of security personnel are based on human rights
principles and include guidelines and restrictions on the use of force. These
procedures are reinforced by training and apply to contracted security
personnel as well as Rio Tinto Group employees.
The Group supports positive efforts to promote broader understanding of human
rights, particularly where they assist local communities. But the Group has no
mandate to act as a global human rights ambassador, nor does it seek to
intervene outside areas where its operations are directly engaged.
In the area of human rights Rio Tinto continues to support and learn from the UN
Global Compact. The Global Compact promotes human rights as one of its ten
principles operating in the spirit of continuous improvement...
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Rio Tinto supports the US/UK Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights.
The Principles were crafted after extensive discussions between extractive and
energy companies including Rio Tinto, non government organisations, the UK
Foreign Office and the US State Department...
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Rio Tinto's Human rights guidance provides direction to our managers on
implementing the Rio Tinto human rights policy...
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Rio Tinto adopted and supports the Global Sullivan Principles of Social
Responsibility. These principles support economic, social and political justice
by companies where they do business, including human rights...
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