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Background: The Private Sector's Role
Approach: Respecting Human Rights in Our Operations
Future Goals: Developing and Testing a Global Approach
Background: The Private Sector's Role
The private sector can play an important role in the promotion of human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights - which is widely considered the most important foundational document on human rights - states that "every organ of society" has the obligation to further human rights. But given the complex nature of human rights issues, determining the appropriate roles and responsibilities of private, public and civil sector actors is a delicate and evolving task.
ChevronTexaco, along with other companies in the energy industry, often operates in countries where there is civil and political unrest, and with this can come allegations of human rights violations. ChevronTexaco and others have a direct interest in operating in environments where the rule of law is applied fairly and consistently, and where individuals are treated with respect and dignity. As a result, over the past several years, companies have come to place greater attention on the promotion of human rights.
Approach: Respecting Human Rights in Our Operations
As expressed in The ChevronTexaco Way, we support universal human rights and, in conducting our operations, we seek to uphold and respect human rights principles, consistent with the role of business. We also are founding supporters of the Global Sullivan Principles, which address a range of human rights issues. We are committed to working with governments, our business partners, nongovernmental organizations and the communities where we operate to develop a fuller understanding of human rights issues, how they apply to our company and what we can do to make a contribution consistent with our appropriate role. We see this as an important step toward the furthering of human rights worldwide.
ChevronTexaco has long addressed many of the issues that fall under the umbrella of human rights, such as employment practices, nondiscrimination, health and safety, and security of employees and company facilities. In 2002, we reviewed our policies, systems and practices to determine how we might encourage better performance in this area, including more systematically integrating human rights considerations into our day-to-day operations. We also have engaged external stakeholders and human rights experts to assist us in this effort.
As a first step following the review, we have developed a draft Human Rights Statement, which builds on The ChevronTexaco Way and further defines our commitments and approach in this area. The statement, which was developed in consultation inside the company and with outside experts, addresses and provides guidance on issues such as employment standards, security, conflict zones, indigenous peoples and human rights assessments. We believe the statement will serve the following practical functions:
- provide operational guidance for ChevronTexaco employees and partners;
- act as a framework for constructive dialogue with external organizations;
- be the starting point for company measurement of and reporting on performance.
Future Goals: Developing and Testing a Global Approach
We know developing a Human Rights Statement is only a first step. We are testing application of our statement in select locations, including some where we face significant human rights challenges. We intend to use this testing to gain a fuller understanding of how to apply the statement in an operational environment, determine where human rights considerations can be more systematically integrated into existing management processes, and how we can measure and monitor our performance more effectively. We also intend to develop additional guidance, tools or training to support the implementation of the statement. Based on the results, our aim is to revise and finalize the statement and begin corporatewide implementation in 2004.
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An event in Angola illustrates the challenge of defining the role of companies in protecting human rights.
Read full case study.
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