RAID appeals to BIAC
22 07 2005
RAID has made an appeal today (22 July) to BIAC's Secretary General Thomas R. Vant for help in promoting the Voluntary Principles on the Use of Security Forces among its affiliates and to support their incorporation into the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The responsibility of business in conflict and weak governance zones is under discussion at the Investment Committee.
RAID's letter arises out of OECD Watch members' concern about the role that Anvil Mining, an Australian/Canadian company played in providing logistical help to the Congolese military in a massacre in the remote town of Kilwa in October 2004. OECD Watch is extremely concerned that Anvil has so far refused to disassociate itself publicly from a campaign of threats and intimidations that have been directed against Congolese human rights activists - OW members ACIDH and ASADHO/Katanga - in the company's name. The local NGOs have been pressing the Congolese authorities to investigate the Kilwa incident. A complaint has been filed with the Canadian NCP by Rights and Democracy. According to the letter the OECD has to learn important lessons from the Kilwa tragedy and strengthen the human rights guidance for foreign investors.
To read the RAID letter to BIAC, July 22, 2005, click here
To read the complaint raised by Rights and Democracy to the Canadian NCP click here
