SOMO report examines records of 8 extractive companies on human rights & tax avoidance – company responses & non-responses provided
In July 2013, Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO) published a report ("Private Gain - Public Loss: Mailbox companies, tax avoidance and human rights") that analyses the tax avoidance & human rights record of 8 big extractive companies incorporated in the Netherlands...The report argues that Dutch tax and investment policy does not adequately take into account the potential human rights impacts of the companies it attracts. According to the research, the companies or their subsidiaries “are responsible for or associated with serious human rights violations, ranging from environmental pollution damaging the health of local communities to militia violence, killings and displacements.” Moreover, the report examines how companies use their structure and fiscal planning to avoid taxes...Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited Barrick Gold, China National Petroleum Corporation, Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold, Glencore Xstrata, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), Oilinvest, Pluspetrol and Trafigura to respond. Barrick Gold, Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold, Glencore Xstrata, Pluspetrol and Trafigura responses provided. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) has not yet responded - we will indicate here whether it responds. China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and Oilinvest did not respond. In addition, we also invited Mozal to respond to allegation mentioned in the report. We will indicate here whether it responds.