Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR)
The presence or intervention of either public or private armed forces can amplify the risk of human rights violations. In recognition of that fact, the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR) were published in 2000 under the auspices of the U.S. State Department and the U.K. Foreign Office.
The Voluntary Principles guide companies in maintaining the safety and security of their operations while ensuring respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Total fully recognizes the importance of the initiative and has adopted its recommendations. The VPSHR are referenced in our Corporate Security Policy Statement, a document that shapes our approach, which is grounded in preventing risks, anticipating crises, training and dialogue.
An operational guide was published in 2004 to ensure implementation of the Voluntary Principles at the sites most exposed to risk. In January 2008, Total published a new directive setting five priorities: formal relations between subsidiaries and governments, hiring criteria for security personnel, training for security personnel, rules for the transfer of equipment, and procedures for responding to human rights violations.
Dedicated VPSHR training was developed in 2005 and has since been expanded.
http://www.total.com/en/about-total/group-presentation/our-ethical-principles-and-practices/initiatives-partnerships-922620.html