Despite Rio Tinto’s claims that QMM’s 2022 compensation process was properly managed by QMM, oral reports from the field suggested human rights violations, gagging orders and inadequate compensation amounts.
These are Report to the Corporate Human Rights Resource Center (BHRRC) published the company’s account of the incident, which drew renewed attention from civil society groups.
In 2023, approximately 20,000 Antonosy people signed Association LUSUD’s petition calling for the suspension of QMM operations until unresolved compensation, unresolved social and environmental issues are resolved. LUSUD leaders have repeatedly requested direct meetings with QMM and the government. These were rejected.
During this period, LUSUD’s leader, Eugene Chretien, experienced a series of attempts to imprison him. According to unconfirmed reports, his home was searched by police without a warrant. His daughter was arrested without charge by the police.
Confirmed
When he finally showed up at the police station, his accompanying lawyer was assaulted. Unacceptable treatment by local police..
By June 2023, after more than three failed attempts to bring QMM into dialogue about its grievances, LUSUD organized itself. They protested and blocked the road. To the mine.
Among the approximately 127 people arrested during the protests were a 7-month pregnant woman and 5 QMM union members. Many were imprisoned a few miles from where they lived at Ft Dauphin, without food and in danger of going without food. Other violations.
Arrest warrants have been issued for two leaders of LUSUD. They are still in hiding due to fear for their lives. The warrants against LUSUD leaders are directly related to: Debate over QMM.
responsibility
Rio Tinto acknowledged the death in October in a statement: ecologist. When the issue is raised with them 2024 General Shareholders’ Meeting, Rio Tinto’s chairman described the event as “election-related.”
In my view, Rio Tinto was misleading investors by suggesting that the incident had nothing to do with its Madagascar operations.
Rather than recognizing and addressing legitimate claims and complaints, Rio Tinto politicized the protests. This allowed Rio Tinto to avoid any negligence, instead shifting responsibility for the deaths to its business partner, the government, and essentially blaming the deceased as a political agitator.
Rio Tinto has subscribed to the United Nations Guiding Principles (UNGP) 29/31, according to which the QMM allows individuals or groups to interact directly with an effective and lawful operational level complaints process that they can trust.
Rio Tinto also has a public policy commitment to meeting the Corporate Human Rights Benchmarks (CHRB) for Human Rights Defenders (HRDs). In particular, we do not tolerate attacks against human rights defenders and expect our business partners to do the same. This also includes the Government of Madagascar.
Not according to Rio Tinto. CHRB’s Scorecard For companies, it meets the third criterion: “Committed to working with human rights defenders to create a safe and enabling environment for citizen participation and human rights at the local, national or international level.” water level.“
control
The repeated rejection of requests to meet with LUSUD suggests that QMM has not actually met its participation benchmarks or UNGP commitments in Madagascar.
Two other benchmarks of zero tolerance for attacks on the HRD are also questionable when analyzing the deaths last October and the systematic criminalization of protesters against the QMM over almost a year. Twenty years.
The lack of an investigation means that there is still no explanation for the incident in October 2023 in which live ammunition was used against local residents.
As one local pointed out, the same was true when tensions rose ahead of the Madagascar incident. 2023 general electionPolice fired tear gas and rubber bullets during a traditional march in the capital. Did the police use real bullets on Madagascar citizens?
The rights to assembly and protest are enshrined in Madagascar law. However, Madagascar’s current regime is increasingly oppressing civil society, It has a chilling effect on human rights advocacy and action.
Companies like Rio Tinto that operate in countries with weak governance, systemic corruption and citizen repression have an even greater obligation to uphold their commitments to the UN Guiding Principles and human rights defenders.
situation
in a year Global Witness Report It highlights the growing threats to human rights defenders, noting that many deaths of human rights defenders go unreported, but it is essential to highlight those who go unnoticed in the global movement who have sacrificed their lives to protect their rights. .
The deaths of Mr Damy, Ms Francia and Jean Solomon and their plight cannot and will not be forgotten.
Rio Tinto must:
- October: Conduct an investigation into the deaths and hold those responsible accountable.
- Review and publicly report on policies to ensure commitment to and implementation of all CHRB benchmarks for human rights defenders.
- Respond to civil society demands for audits of QMM compensation and grievance processes.
- Respond to the demands of civil society. Independent Water Impact Assessment QMM can comprehensively address and resolve the root causes of harm and conflict.
right to reply
A Rio Tinto spokesperson said: ecologist: “In 2023, the Fort Dauphin region and QMM experienced a series of protests led by local organization LUSUD. QMM’s operations were severely affected in late June when protesters blocked the main public road leading to the Mandena mine site. QMM’s 380 employees were not allowed to leave the site for more than seven days, and most activities had to be curtailed, with only essential services such as power supply to Fort Dauphin connected.
“Madagascar’s Public Security Forces intervened on July 3, 2023, during which several protesters and members of the Public Security Forces suffered non-life-threatening injuries. On October 19, 2023, protesters again blocked the road. First Although peaceful, groups of protesters took individuals, including police officers, hostage, leading to tragic deaths following the intervention of public security forces to rescue the hostages.
“QMM is deeply saddened by these tragic events. We recognize the important role civil society organizations and other human rights and environmental defenders play as important advocates for change. While we support open civic spaces and respect the rights to peaceful assembly and expression, we strongly reject any actions or activities by individuals or organizations that may threaten the safety and well-being of anyone.
“We cannot control the actions of others, but we are committed to finding ways to influence positive change. For example, we develop programs that are consistent with the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights. Security forces’ understanding of the importance of respect for human rights in security preparations and operations has included direct training of public security forces at Fort Dauphin.”
Author Lee
Yvonne Orengo Independent Communications Expert and moved Andrew Lees TrustIt is a British charity established after the death of a person of the same name in Madagascar in 1994. Yvonne has lived in Madagascar for over six years, developing ALT UK’s strategic program. She has followed the development of Rio Tinto’s QMM project for nearly 30 years.
