RIO TINTO AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Early day motion 626, tabled 11 May 1999 by Michael Clapham (Labour). Signed by 63 members.

That this House is gravely concerned to learn that the London-based Rio Tinto, the largest mining company in the world, is not adhering to the EU Code of Conduct which sets out standards for companies operating in the developing world and that it is accused by the ICEM of continuing human rights abuses and a disregard for the environment in Indonesia and Australia over the past year; that its behaviour breaches the seven core labour standards adopted by all ILO states in 1997 to which it is noted the company has not given a commitment; that in particular concerns are raised about its investment in the expansion of the Grasberg Mine in West Papua, where the military and security forces have used torture and extra-judicial killings to secure the project about which the company has remained silent; now calls on Rio Tinto to adopt international laws and standards on human rights, indigenous people, collective bargaining and trade unions as identified by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions in correspondence with the company dated 14th April 1998 and also identified by Amnesty International in its 1998 publication 'Human Rights and Principles for Companies'; and urges Her Majesty's Government to obtain an understanding from the company that it will in future comply with the standards referred to above as well as the OECD's Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.

Signatures by party: Labour 54, Labour/Co-operative 4, Liberal Democrat 4, Plaid Cymru 1.