INCREASING AWARENESS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS PROTECTION IN THE EXTRACTIVE SECTOR

With the support of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), we are implementing a pilot project on introducing the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPs). The VPs set specific lines of action to systematically assess and manage the risks and impacts of business activities, within an operating framework that ensures respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms of those involved.
After conducting fieldwork in Angola’s diamond rich provinces of Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul, we believe that the implementation of the VPs in this region will benefit all stakeholders: mining Com-panies, the Angolan Government, public and private security providers, as well as local populations. Working through the VPs, we intend to provide stakeholders with a framework for dialogue and collaboration, which will, in turn, enable them to find peaceful solutions to conflicts that stem from business activities. The ultimate goal of the VPs’ implementation is to ensure that all can benefit from the prosperity generated by the industry of natural resources.
Our field assessment also showed us several challenges to be surmounted in order to introduce the VPs in Angola. Notably, current Angolan legislation has no instruments regarding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and companies lack awareness on the matter. On the other hand, the Angolan Government has shown concerns to improve the human rights records of national extractive com-panies, and it is currently presiding the Kimberley Process Committee, to stop the commercialization of conflict diamonds.
Hence, we are working with the Angolan Government and mining companies to build momentum to introduce the VPs in Angola. In October 2014, we were the only NGO invited to attend a confer-ence organized by the Angolan Ministry of Geology and Mines, in which we had the opportunity to explain the Common Ground Approach, based on cooperation towards shared goals. We recognize that there is still a long way to go until VPs are effectively implemented in Angola, but we are on the right track, as we seek to mobilize support from all key stakeholders.
 

In December 2013, Search for Common Ground Angola (SFCG) entered into an agreement with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to implement a project with the overall goal of assessing and preparing the ground for the implementation of the Voluntary Principles for Security and Human Rights (VPs) in the diamond mining areas of the provinces of Lunda Norte (Cuango and Capenda Camulemba municipalities), and Lunda Sul (Cacolo municipality). The VP are a code of conduct for multinational companies in the extractive sector, signed in 2000 by large companies, the governments of the United States, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Norway, as well as NGOs, including SFCG.

The April 24, 2002 cease-fire agreement brought an end to 27 years of bloody civil in Angola. After decades of war, the 2002 peace agreement has allowed Angola to embark on a path towards re-establishing security in the country and promoting economic expansion. Natural resources have contributed to an economic boom in Angola. The paradox is that the economic growth does not reflect the living conditions of people in Angola, where the majority of the population lives below the poverty line. In particular in mining regions, development has not met local people’s expectations and violence remains commonplace. There are widespread abuses by private and state security forces in Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul.
This report provides the results of SFCG’s project on Introducing VPs, sponsored by funding from the British Embassy in Angola. The aim of this project was to assess current knowledge of the VPs in mining areas of Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul provinces, as well as prepare the ground for the VPs implementation. Working with an array of public and private stakeholders, our intervention was designed to achieve three expected results.