We, the youth, drawn from the KUWUKA Youth Network (Mozambique), Environment Africa Youth Network (Zambia), and Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association Youth Network (Zimbabwe) and being proponents of the Youth Initiative for Corporate Accountability (YICA) campaign, are determined to see our great mineral wealth catapult our countries’ development. We believe in a responsible extractive sector that places human rights and the best interests of communities at its core and that creates long-term social, environmental, economic, and sustainable value.

 

As youths, we are appreciative to see the potential that the mineral wealth in our countries has for our beautiful continent and pleased with Agenda 2063’s framework, specifically Goal 7, which speaks to environmentally sustainable and climate resilient economies and communities, with a focus on sustainable natural resource management and biodiversity conservation as well as the aspirations in the Africa Mining Vision. This is in line with our ten toes down campaign on corporate accountability, which comes after the realization that the activities of mining companies (multinational, state owned and domestic) can promote economic development and generate wealth needed for the progressive realization of socio-economic rights once conducted in a sustainable and responsible manner. However, the evidence at hand in our countries is worrying as, irresponsible mining conduct has resulted in human rights violations (such as forced displacements, loss of livelihoods, limited access to portable water, destruction of schools, health issues resulting from environmental harm, major biodiversity losses among others. This has affected mining affected communities in different Districts of our countries.

We do recognize that, while the growing demand for critical minerals and metals needed for the energy transition (for example Copper in Zambia, Lithium in Zimbabwe and Graphite in Mozambique) provides economic opportunities for our  countries and private sector entities alike, research has established that the underlying challenges affecting mineral resource governance and leading to human rights violations of communities has resulted in significant challenges for communities and  the energy transition need to be  managed responsibly and sustainably. It is key to ensure that the transition to renewable energy takes place in a responsible manner, with respect for people and nature. Therefore, we urge our governments and investors to ensure that negative impacts from mining activities are reduced, communities are not affected, and the environment in which they operate is not affected.

Our governments and mining companies must ensure that resource-rich countries benefit from the extraction of minerals and are not left counting the cost of extraction. Therefore, we urgently appeal to our governments and mining companies (Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe) to urgently act on the following:

Government to:

·       Recognize the importance of and the need to participate in the United Nations (UN) and African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPRs) processes of coming up with a legally binding instrument on business and human rights. A regional and international binding instrument is critical in order to promote corporate accountability for multinational companies operating in our countries and it also gives communities access to remedy. 

·       Develop and implement National Action Plans (NAPs) on Business and Human Rights as provided for by the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Whilst NAPs are critical in multistakeholder mapping of our countries’ business and human rights priorities and raising awareness among stakeholders, the targets and minimum standards should not be lessened. NAPs must also not be taken to replace the importance of mandatory responsibilities on companies on business and human rights. 

·       Ensure that the legislative provisions applicable in the mining sector set out clearly the responsibility of mining companies operating in our countries, respect human rights throughout their operations, including formulating and implementing legal and policy measures that accentuate corporate accountability.

·       Exercise adequate oversight and ensure contracting and practices of business enterprises all meet international, regional, and local human rights obligations.

·       Ensure victims greater access to effective remedies, both judicial and non-judicial.

·       Set a deterrent charge for mining companies who fail to comply with the call for responsible mining conduct.

Mining companies to:

·       Develop and publicly share commitments and actions to meet their responsibility to respect human rights within the communities in which they operate. This should be an integral part of the company statements of business principles, codes of conduct, or other values-related to corporate commitments and policies.

·       Conduct human rights due diligence along its value/supply chains that identify, prevent, and remedy the negative impacts of their operations across the full range of human rights including the rights of young people, people with disabilities and women. As noted in Guiding Principle 17, human rights due diligence should be ongoing and dynamic, recognizing that human rights risks change over time and that the business context shifts, revealing new information and experience.

·       Prioritize community engagement and young people’s participation along all stages of the mining cycle including at the extraction stage, when conducting human rights due diligence, and even during mining closure among others. This must be integrated into the company’s core strategies, operations, internal procedures, and systems.  This is contrary to tokenism and box ticking but rather promotes meaningful participation, engagement and consultations following the tenets of the free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) principle. 

·       Respect and support the work of communities and young people who are working to defend their human rights and environment in mining communities and energy supply chains by actively safeguarding their interests and supporting their rights and freedoms. 

·       Ensure the responsibility to respect and commit to support children’s rights.

We stand up against:

The intimidation of the youth in their struggle for the realization of this goal. This includes the existing problem of threats to youth human rights defenders online and offline.
o   The views of the youth should matter in shaping and influencing laws, policies, and norms of corporate accountability on business and human rights (BHR).

o   All stakeholders must fully consult the youth and embrace their views. (No to tokenism and box-ticking approaches.), and youths must not be “punished” for demanding the human rights accountability of mining companies in their countries. 

GET INVOLVED

To get involved in the campaign, follow the hashtag #CorporateAccountability

Do remember to sign and share the petition widely. Together, we can promote responsible and sustainable investments.