In December 2008, on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights — which Total celebrated by signing the U.N. Global Compact CEO Statement — Christophe de Margerie stated that: “Support for human rights is an absolute imperative for any socially responsible company. Respect for human rights must inform and guide the way we treat our employees, contractors and stakeholders at all times; it creates an obligation of vigilance on behalf of our host communities, especially in countries where human rights are not fully upheld.”

In October 2010, Christophe de Margerie reiterated Total’s commitment to an absolute respect for human rights in front of a hundred of worldwide business managers during the International Business Consultation, organized at the headquarters of the Medef in Paris by Professor John Ruggie, the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General on Human Rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises.

Human rights are universal and play a fundamental role in development.

Our businesses lead us to set up long-term operations in many developing countries. As a major economic player, our conduct there must be exemplary, especially in terms of upholding and promoting civil, economic and social rights.

In situations in which insecurity prevails, we deploy internal processes to prevent human rights incidents within our sphere of operations. Operational managers are expected to exercise vigilance on a day-to-day basis and to ensure that the behavior of their teams is above reproach.

Total respects national sovereignty and maintains a positive working relationship with government authorities. Stressing dialogue all the way up to the highest levels, we reserve the right to voice our beliefs about the need to uphold human rights when it impacts our operations, employees, shareholders or partners.

We do not remain in countries in which we would be unable to apply our Code of Conduct in our activities or in countries embargoed or boycotted by the United Nations or the European Union.