WASHINGTON – Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (the U.S. Helsinki Commission) will hold a briefing entitled, “The Link between Revenue Transparency and Human Rights”.
This briefing will focus on the link between revenue transparency and human rights in resource rich countries. Countries rich in natural resources such as oil, gas, and minerals, reflect a disproportionate disparity in wealth despite access to these valuable resources. Revenue transparency is needed to combat the illegal plundering of natural resources that corrupts democratic political systems and impedes human rights. This briefing will highlight the importance of government accountability in the extractive industries and its effect on human rights.
The following witnesses are scheduled to testify:
Mr. Bennett Freeman, Senior Vice President for Sustainability Research and Policy, Calvert Investments Member of the Boards of Oxfam America, Revenue Watch Institute, and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative
Mr. Jonas Moberg, Head of Secretariat, Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative
* Other witnesses to be invited
