involvement with the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights

The Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights were established with the recognition that businesses and members of civil society can play a unique role in promoting human rights. The Voluntary Principles serve as a forum for engagement among governments, nongovernmental organizations, and extractive companies, with the goal of respecting human rights while maintaining the safety and security of company operations. The Voluntary Principles provide guidance on three major components: risk assessment, engaging with public security forces, and interacting with private security forces.

We have been an active participant in the Voluntary Principles dialogue since 2002, and worked extensively with participants to devise robust language on participation criteria and procedures for involvement in the Voluntary Principles. In 2007, ExxonMobil was elected to serve as one of two corporate representatives on the Voluntary Principles’ Steering Committee. In that leadership position, we have advocated for a constructive and inclusive process to improve human rights implementation efforts and awareness. We are also involved with developing appropriate governance and reporting mechanisms for the Voluntary Principles.

Although there have been many successes, the Voluntary Principles are faced with periodic challenges. Recent challenges have involved whether the dialogue should be inclusive or exclusive in nature. Along with most participants in the Voluntary Principles, we advocated for greater engagement with certain host governments that demonstrate an interest, willingness, and ability to commit themselves to the guidelines and procedures of the Voluntary Principles. One of our primary goals is to achieve common levels of understanding and acceptance of the Voluntary Principles among government-assigned security forces. We believe that human rights conditions on the ground will improve more efficiently and effectively when host governments are engaged in dialogue and are provided with the practical tools and guidance necessary to carry out their human rights responsibilities.

ExxonMobil is also participating in in-country Voluntary Principles task forces to advance integration of the Voluntary Principles into host country policies and practices. We are supporting efforts by governments, civil society, and multilateral institutions to provide human rights training and education for public security forces as well as to strengthen state institutions to ensure accountability for, and protection of, human rights.