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Article

28 Jan 2015

Author:
George Boden, Global Witness

Natural resource contracts should be made public, says Global Witness

"It's common sense that natural resource contracts should be made public", 20 Jan 2015

...[Often] government[s in mineral-rich developing countries] refuse...to publish the contracts they have signed with oil and mining companies. The effects of these contracts are often as comprehensive as a national law or an international treaty, and they last for generations. Land can be taken from people without their consent. Environments can get trashed and human rights abused. But...these contracts are often hidden from the very people they affect...If contracts were made public people could...evaluate if they are getting a good deal...Wider public knowledge...through the publication of contracts would make it much easier to...[monitor] companies...Industry and governments will often claim that the information contained in extractive contracts is commercially sensitive, but this doesn't wash...It is heartening that some governments are already taking steps to publish the contracts..., proving that contract transparency is...possible...[Also refers to Tullow Oil]