Mining-Related Human Rights Violations Raised in Ghana
29 November 2006
Mary Robinson speaks out on compensation, security, and the environment in meetings with government and Oxfam partners.
Human rights were the subject of discussion in Ghana as Mary Robinson, president of Realizing Rights: the Ethical Globalization Initiative, met with government representatives, Oxfam America staff, and representatives of Oxfam America partner organizations concerned about mining-related social and environmental problems.
Both Robinson and Oxfam America voiced concerns about compensation to farmers for land seized for mining, violent actions by security forces, and environmental damage. “Mining is now Ghana’s most important economic sector,” she said in a statement release on November 22nd in Accra. “If mining is to contribute to poverty reduction and sustainable development in the country, these critical human rights issues must be addressed.” She urged the government to create and enforce regulations to protect the rights of communities affected by mining, and investigate human rights violations.
Robinson was formerly the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the President of Ireland from 1990-1997. In addition to her role at Realizing Rights, she is also the Honorary President of Oxfam International.
Statement by Mary Robinson on Human Rights Issues in Ghana’s Mining Sector
I had the opportunity to meet today with nongovernmental organizations and community representatives to discuss critical human rights issues facing Ghana’s mining sector. I also welcomed an opportunity to meet with the Human Rights Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner and sit in on a brief hearing involving some of those affected by the operations of mining companies. I am pleased to note that the Human Rights Commission has instituted a process over the coming weeks to take stock of, and report on, the situation of affected communities.
I am deeply concerned by the information I received regarding the range and severity of human rights problems that continue to affect this sector. First of all, the level of compensation offered is manifestly unfair. To offer $9 to a farmer to buy out a cocoa tree worth at least $20 per year over the tree’s economic life of 30-50 years is not acceptable. In a number of cases, security forces working around mine sites have used violent methods to displace community members from mining areas. In other cases, mining companies’ destruction of communities’ water and land resources constitute a violation of communities’ right to maintain a sustainable livelihood.
Mining is now Ghana’s most important economic sector. If mining is to contribute to poverty reduction and sustainable development in the country, these critical human rights issues must be addressed. I urge the Government of Ghana, as a stakeholder in each mining company, to adopt and enforce regulations to protect the rights of communities in mining areas. The government should also thoroughly investigate complaints of human rights violations related to mining and hold those responsible accountable.
Mining companies must also act to ensure that they are in no way complicit in human rights violations. At a minimum, this would include ensuring that they do not employ known human rights violators to provide security at mine sites. They must also avoid contaminating the environment and negatively impacting the resources local communities depend on for their agriculturally-based livelihoods. Companies should allow independent third-party audits of their compliance with these basic human rights principles. They should also commit to establishing mechanisms for ongoing independent monitoring of their operations. Such mechanisms should include the participation of local community members.
I am here this week to participate in the UN Global Compact Learning Forum. At the Forum, companies such as Newmont, AngloGoldAshanti and Golden Star Resources will discuss efforts to examine their core business operations in light of human rights issues. I look forward to raising these issues with them, and helping to build the foundations upon which the different stakeholders can work together to address these vital issues.
