NEWS
11.12.07
ICMM makes third submission to UN Special Representative on Human Rights
ICMM has made a third submission to the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General (SRSG) on Human Rights and Business.
Each of the recommendations in ICMM’s third submission to the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General (SRSG) on Human Rights and Business is accompanied by examples from ICMM member companies and associations. They highlight the importance which ICMM places on further enhancing the effectiveness of voluntary approaches on business and human rights – including both on the part of companies individually and multi-stakeholder initiatives.
The recommendations also underscore the need for further practical steps in this area on the part of governments, which retain prime responsibility for upholding human rights, and which need to set the overall agenda.
Among the specific recommendations relating to companies, ICMM supports moves to incorporate human rights issues into key due diligence processes, and also the development and wider use of well-designed and credible grievance & dispute resolution mechanisms. The recommendations for governments include a call for more widespread recognition that effective human rights protection can help attract responsible investment; and also for governments to identify ways to incorporate assessments of mining firms’ approach to sustainability issues, including human rights, in their criteria for selecting partners for developing their country’s resources.
This third ICMM submission builds on points made in the first two ICMM submissions to SRSG Ruggie, to the effect that:
- The fact that location of mining operations is dictated by geology, major mining firms – more so than companies in many other industrial sectors – operate in some of the poorest countries of world, creating particular human rights opportunities and challenges for the industry.
- In recent years, ICMM member companies and associations have helped lead the way within the mining sector in developing & strengthening corporate policies and systems on human rights.
- Underlying many business & human rights challenges is a failure, or incapacity, on the part of host-country governments to protect human rights.
For further information, please contact Aidan Davy
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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
Principle 03:
Uphold fundamental human rights and respect cultures, customs and values in dealings with employees and others who are affected by our activities.
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