Rio Tinto

(www.riotinto.com)

The way we work: Our statement of business practice

(excerpt)

   Human rights

The Rio Tinto Group's policy on human rights is based on its support for the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and respect for human rights provisions enshrined in the law of those countries where the Group operates, and rooted in the approach to local communities set out in its communities policy.

Rio Tinto supports and protects the dignity, well-being, and rights of those with whom it is directly involved: its employees and their families, and the local communities which are neighbours of its operations.  The Group's employment and communities policies commit operations to making a positive contribution to their development through a relationship based on mutual respect.  Infringements of their rights by others will be opposed, through dialogue and, where it will be helpful, in public.

Beyond this, the Group is guided by the values of the international community that human rights should be protected and promoted everywhere.  Operations will look for opportunities to support positive efforts to promote broader understanding of these values, especially where they assist our local communities.  But the Group has no mandate to act as a vehicle for global diplomacy, nor does it seek to intervene outside those specific areas where its operations are directly engaged.

The Group aims to develop ever greater understanding of human rights issues, and of their consequences for its operations.  It seeks dialogue with representative bodies, with international and other non governmental organisations, and with others in the business community.  The aim is a practical common effort to promote respect for human rights.