HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND NATURAL RESOURCE EXTRACTION

That this House condemns serious and systematic human rights violations resulting from natural resource extraction operations around the world, as highlighted recently in a conference organised by the Latin American Mining Monitoring Programme; recognises that mining, oil and gas extraction projects are often a source of considerable conflict, threatening indigenous and other communities living on the land; believes that women from affected communities are at particular risk from irresponsible mining practices, as they can face dispossession, displacement and sexual and gender-based violence; notes that the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders in his recent report highlighted excessive use of force against defenders of rights relating to land, defence of the environment and corporate responsibility; further notes his observations of systematic collusion between state and non-state actors designed to block reports by defenders that expose corruption and human rights violations; and calls on the Government to make strong representations, including at EU and UN level, to strengthen and implement comprehensive and gender-sensitive protection mechanisms for human rights defenders in this context, and to work to ensure that affected communities and those defending them are able to participate fully in the drafting and implementation of Business and Human Rights Action Plans.