Dinant Removes Firearms From Plantation Security Staff

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, May 22, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of Corporacion Dinant's continuing efforts to operate in a safer, more transparent and respectful manner, the company has removed firearms from security staff at all African Palm plantations in Honduras.

Company spokesman Roger Pineda said, "Dinant has always conducted its business in a just and lawful manner, respecting local laws and international standards, and helping the public authorities as much as we can.  Recognizing that Government security forces have sole responsibility for enforcing law and order, we believe we can help mitigate the potential for conflict in the Bajo Aguan by keeping all firearms at our plantation sites locked away and under the sole supervision of Government authorities."

With immediate effect, no security staff at Dinant's plantations will carry firearms routinely.  All firearms are kept under lock-and-key, supervised by the local Commander of the Joint Military Task Force or his on-site representative, and to be used only as a last resort to protect lives.

Mr. Pineda continued, "The removal of firearms from our security staff demonstrates the great strides we are making to implement the internationally acclaimed Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, which govern how we vet, recruit and train our security staff, and how they engage with the community.  I am proud that Dinant will be the first company in Honduras – and the first throughout the global agribusiness sector - to adopt the Voluntary Principles.  For a country like Honduras, with an unenviable history of gun violence, this is a significant achievement."

In a further recognition of the rightful role of the Honduran security forces – and not Dinant – to respond to acts of armed aggression that might occur during the land conflicts in Honduras, Dinant has constructed barracks on its Finca Paso Aguan plantation for domicile use by the soldiers of the Xatruch Joint Military Task Force.

Mr. Pineda said, "It is essential that the security forces maintain their independent role in enforcing law and order in the Aguan.  However, we hope that, by building the soldiers a barracks on our Finca Paso Aguan plantation, they will be better able to perform their duties."

About Dinant Corporation

Corporacion Dinant is a family-owned consumer products manufacturer founded in 1960 by Miguel Facusse.  Our products are sold throughout Central America and the Caribbean, and exported to other parts of the world.  Dinant employs almost 8,000 people and supports over 22,000 livelihoods, generating significant exports for the Honduran economy.

Dinant is committed to the economic, social and environmental development of the region.  We create well-paid sustainable jobs and significantly improve the skills, education and health of thousands of local people.  For six consecutive years, Dinant has been recognized as a Socially Responsible Corporation by the Honduran Corporate Social Responsibility Foundation (FUNDAHRSE) in recognition of our good practices.

May 22, 2014

CORPORATE RELATIONS DEPARTMENT

Media contact: Roger Pineda, [email protected], +(504) 2239-8800

SOURCE Corporacion Dinant