Activists want justice for victims of human rights abuses at Acacia's mine included in govt.'s framework agreement with parent Barrick Gold
“Address human rights concerns at Acacia’s North Mara Gold Mine under the framework agreement with Barrick Gold Corporation”
We wish to follow-up on the breakthrough framework agreement announced last week between the government and Barrick Gold Corporation concerning Acacia Mining plc’s operations in Tanzania.1 We are writing to respectfully request you to address human rights concerns at Acacia’s North Mara Gold Mine as part of the detailed discussions that are to follow. We believe any final agreement should include providing adequate compensation for victims of abuse and an urgent judicial investigation into the alleged unlawful use of force by members of the Tanzanian police and North Mara’s mine security...
It is hard to envision a genuine partnership that benefits both sides when Tanzanian citizens continue to lose their lives or suffer terrible injuries at Acacia’s operations. We hope you will give equal consideration to respect for human-rights and ensuring fair government revenue in the ongoing consultations with Barrick... We insist that Acacia Mining stop using legal waivers to settle complaints through their grievance mechanism, which are not considered best practice. We also want Acacia to publish in full its current in-house grievance mechanism, its investigations policy and other related documents so local residents are fully aware of how their complaints will be treated