From 22-23 August Director Trade Policy Roel Nieuwenkamp and Nora Dessing, both of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, visited South Africa to promote the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPs). Among other things the expert mission spoke with Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources, Mr Godfrey Oliphant, and participated in a multi-stakeholder meeting organized by AngloGold Ashanti.
From 22-23 August Director Trade Policy Roel Nieuwenkamp and Nora Dessing, both of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, visited South Africa to promote the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPs). Among other things the expert mission spoke with Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources, Mr Godfrey Oliphant, and participated in a multi-stakeholder meeting organized by AngloGold Ashanti.
The VPs were developed in 2000 by governments, companies in the extractive and energy sectors and NGOs. The VPs are nonbinding and were designed to guide mining, oil and gas, and energy companies to create functioning operations through safety and security that ensure human rights and fundamental freedoms. The primary focus is risk assessment, as well as interactions between companies and public and private security. Governments and NGOs are also part of the VPs and encourage companies to implement the principles.
Current members of the VPs are a.o. Canada, Colombia, Netherlands, Norway, UK, USA, Switzerland, Anglo American, AngloGold Ashanti, Rio Tinto, Human Rights Watch and Oxfam.