The Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights are a set of principles designed
to guide companies in maintaining the safety and security of their operations within
an operating framework that encourages respect for human rights. Non-governmental
organisations (NGOs) and governments are also Participants in the Voluntary Principles,
and encourage companies to implement the Principles.
Benefits of joining the
Voluntary Principles:
Improved implementation and
advocacy approaches
• NGOs can develop a better
understanding of the issues related to
security and human rights, improving
their ability to advocate for change
with an array of stakeholders.
• By learning from one another,
NGOs can better support all
stakeholders, and especially
communities, through their work
on human rights, peace or security.
• NGOs can learn about tools and
approaches directly related to the
Voluntary Principles, as well as those
more broadly related to human rights
and companies that they can
incorporate into their work.
Enhanced collaboration and
problem solving with companies
and governments
Through formal participation in
the Voluntary Principles process,
governments, NGOs and companies
develop working relationships through
which they can collaborate to:
• Share information and participate
in dialogues regarding challenges in
Voluntary Principles implementation.
• Engage in mutual learning and joint
problem solving with a group that
is well versed in security and human
rights issues.
• Create joint approaches and
partnerships to address the challenges
of security and human rights at the
international, national and project level.
• Jointly promote human rights in order
to provide lasting positive impact
on security and human rights issues.
• Develop publicly available tools that
will help define best practice for
security and human rights.
NGO roles under the Voluntary
Principles include:
• Contributing to global, national and
local forums to ensure that NGOs learn
from others and share their views and
perspectives to help shape the future
of the Voluntary Principles initiative.
• Raising awareness of significant issues
that need to be addressed related to
human rights and security concerns
and helping company and government
Voluntary Principles Participants
successfully implement the Principles.
• Aiding implementation by helping
companies to develop policies,
procedures and training that help
support respect for human rights,
while maintaining security of workers
and assets.
• Engaging directly with community
groups using the Voluntary Principles
as a framework to help improve
understanding of human rights,
as well as increase awareness of the
proactive role that communities can
play in ensuring their own security
and respect of their human rights.
• Interacting with government actors,
including public security forces and
representatives of national and local
government, to increase awareness
of the Voluntary Principles and their
value for the country.
• Reporting annually on activities
to support Voluntary Principles
implementation.
• Formally participating in the
governance of the Voluntary Principles.
http://www.voluntaryprinciples.org/files/FHE-DC-129740-v1-VPs_NGO_Fact_Sheet.PDF