voluntary principles on security
and human rights

Occidental is a signatory of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights which are designed to provide practical guidance that will strengthen human rights safeguards in company security arrangements in the extractive sector. The short-term goal of the Principles is to encourage companies to better understand the environment where they operate, improve relations with local communities through dialogue, and uphold the rule of law. Their long-term goal is to create a better environment for sustainable economic investment and human rights.

As the first type of voluntary guidelines for the extractive sector, the Principles are global and generic. They do not focus on a particular country nor do they present a one-size approach to preventing human rights abuses. Rather they serve as guidelines to be adapted to local operating environments. The Voluntary Principles address three areas of mutual interest to both companies and NGOs:

Risk Assessments. Comprehensive risk assessments are critical to company security. A clear picture of past and future risks may help avoid human rights abuses. The Principles provide critical factors that should be considered in formulating an effective risk assessment.

Engagement with Public Security. Maintaining law and order is the primary responsibility of governments. Companies, however, are sometimes expected to contribute to providing security. The Principles set-out steps to promote positive relationships between companies and public security that reduce the risk of and promote respect for human rights.

Engagement with Private Security. Given the need to sometimes hire private security forces as a complement to public security forces, the document outlines principles to guide private security conduct. This section focuses on upholding professional conduct and accountability in a manner that is consistent with human rights standards.

The Voluntary Principles were developed by the U.S. Department of State, the U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office, oil, mining and energy companies, together with human rights, labor and corporate responsibility groups. The Netherlands and Norway have joined the U.S. and UK in continuing the dialogue process.

Participants have met in plenary meetings in London and Washington to discuss implementation of the Principles. Workshops have been held on working with security providers, risk assessments and police training. A rotating steering committee was established to organize future workshops and meetings as well as to gather case studies on implementation and best practices. The next plenary will take place in early 2004 in the Hague.

Participants in the dialogue process are:

• Governments: the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Norway
• Companies: ChevronTexaco, Shell, ConocoPhillips, BP, Rio Tinto, Freeport McMoRan, Newmont Mining, ExxonMobil, Occidental Petroleum, Statoil, NorskHydro, Amerada Hess, BHP Billiton, BG Group, Marathon Oil
• NGOs: Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, International Alert, Lawyers Committee for Human Rights, Fund for Peace, Pax Christi
• Corporate Responsibility Groups: The International Business Leaders Forum (UK) and Business for Social Responsibility (U.S.)
• Union: International Chemical, Energy and Mine Workers Union
• Observers: International Committee of the Red Cross

Source: Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor / United States Department of State

For the complete Fact Sheet on the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, click here:
U.S. Department of State - Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights.

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