Blog Entry

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Responds to Allegations Regarding Porgera "Remedy" Framework

Catherine Coumans

Ph.D. Research Coordinator and Asia-Pacific Program Coordinator

In response to appeals from MiningWatch and many other groups, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has issued an opinion regarding the framework of remediation initiatives developed by Barrick Gold Corporation for women who have been victims of sexual violence by security personnel at the company's Porgera mine in Papua New Guinea. The opinion makes some important positive contributions but also raises some serious concerns. Here's the OHCHR opinion, and our letter in response.

Here are the earlier letters:

Letter to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights of March 19, 2013

Letter to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights of April 2, 2013

Letter to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights of May 14, 2013

Global sign-on letter to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights of May 14, 2013

UN OHCHR Opinion: Allegations regarding the Porgera Joint Venture remedy framework Letter to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights of September 4, 2013