Who we are
Human rights
Rio Tinto and Alcan actively support the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
At Rio Tinto, our commitment to human rights is reflected in our statement of business practice The way we work and our complementary guidance documents on Human Rights and Business Integrity. Our human rights policies and procedures have been strengthened as part of an online web based ethics and compliance training system. During 2007, over 1,800 employees completed the human rights training module, which is compulsory at the general manager level or above.
Within Alcan, human rights were addressed through the Alcan Worldwide Code of Employee and Business Conduct, and Indigenous Peoples Policy. Human rights considerations were also addressed in the areas of procurement, security, stakeholder and community engagement, project development and governance.
In implementing human rights policies, Rio Tinto is subject to the relevant laws in the many other countries where we operate. At all times we respect and comply with the obligations which those bodies of legislation impose upon us.
Rio Tinto is a signatory to a host of international commitments and standards and remains dedicated to meeting them. Rio Tinto was involved from the inception of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (www.voluntaryprinciples.org) and has supported these principles since their announcement in 2000. We are also a founding member of the United Nations Global Compact (www.unglobalcompact.org) and a participating member of the UK Network. The United Nations Global Compact is a voluntary initiative for businesses committed to aligning their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption.
Furthermore, Rio Tinto is a founding member of the Council for Responsible Jewellery Practices (www.responsiblejewellery.com) which commits members to promote responsible business practices in a transparent and accountable manner throughout the industry from mine to retail. It also seeks to maintain consumer confidence in diamond and gold jewellery products and the trust of all interested stakeholders in the industry. We are also a member of the Kimberley Process (www.kimberleyprocess.com) a joint government, industry and civil society initiative to stop trade in diamonds that fuel conflict.
There were no reported incidents of breaches of our human rights policy during 2007.
