This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/law/2013/dec/16/mining-bsg-resources-legal-action-global-witness

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Mining firm sues campaign group over personal data Campaign group sued over personal data
(1 day later)
Lawyers for a mining conglomerate run by one of the world's wealthiest men have launched a groundbreaking legal action against the London-based campaign group Global Witness claiming damages for breaches of data protection rights. Lawyers for four people connected to a mining conglomerate run by one of the world's wealthiest men have launched a groundbreaking legal action against the London-based campaign group Global Witness claiming damages for breaches of data protection rights.
The claim, filed at the high court in London last week, was released on Monday and intensifies a long-running dispute over iron ore rights in the west African state of Guinea. The action takes a highly unusual legal approach, alleging that Global Witness has refused to comply with a decision of the UK information commissioner.The claim, filed at the high court in London last week, was released on Monday and intensifies a long-running dispute over iron ore rights in the west African state of Guinea. The action takes a highly unusual legal approach, alleging that Global Witness has refused to comply with a decision of the UK information commissioner.
The claim has been lodged on behalf of BSG Resources (BSGR), an international mining group run by the Israeli businessman Beny Steinmetz. It complains that BSGR has been the subject of "a sustained, negative publicity campaign by Global Witness", which it claims is closely associated with the billionaire hedge fund manager George Soros. The claim has been lodged by individuals associated with BSG Resources (BSGR), an international mining group run by the Israeli businessman Beny Steinmetz. It complains that BSGR has been the subject of "a sustained, negative publicity campaign by Global Witness", which it claims is closely associated with the billionaire hedge fund manager George Soros.
Global Witness, which was founded in 1993, has dismissed the legal action as an attempt to stifle journalism and investigations carried out in the public interest. The row over the Simandou iron ore mines project in south-east Guinea has been covered by the Guardian.Global Witness, which was founded in 1993, has dismissed the legal action as an attempt to stifle journalism and investigations carried out in the public interest. The row over the Simandou iron ore mines project in south-east Guinea has been covered by the Guardian.
Steinmetz's wealth is estimated to be worth more than $4bn (£2.6bn). The claim has been served in his name and those of three others associated with BSGR, which is based in St Peter Port, Guernsey.Steinmetz's wealth is estimated to be worth more than $4bn (£2.6bn). The claim has been served in his name and those of three others associated with BSGR, which is based in St Peter Port, Guernsey.
Dag Cramer, CEO of Onyx Financial Advisers, an adviser to BSGR and one of the others who have brought the action, said: "We tried for more than a year to avoid this outcome, because we consider Global Witness's declared aims to be laudable. Unfortunately, the organisation has entirely failed to live up to its own principles. It is hopelessly compromised, and out of control.Dag Cramer, CEO of Onyx Financial Advisers, an adviser to BSGR and one of the others who have brought the action, said: "We tried for more than a year to avoid this outcome, because we consider Global Witness's declared aims to be laudable. Unfortunately, the organisation has entirely failed to live up to its own principles. It is hopelessly compromised, and out of control.
"Global Witness's refusal to tell us what personal data it has on us is a breach of the law and is deeply discomfiting to me and my fellow claimants. It feels like a personal violation. It is ironic that this NGO, which claims to value transparency above all else, refuses to make itself accountable by complying with transparency laws.""Global Witness's refusal to tell us what personal data it has on us is a breach of the law and is deeply discomfiting to me and my fellow claimants. It feels like a personal violation. It is ironic that this NGO, which claims to value transparency above all else, refuses to make itself accountable by complying with transparency laws."
The high court claim says the claimants submitted subject access requests to Global Witness under the Data Protection Act during 2012 and 2013, seeking details of personal data about Steinmetz and his colleagues held by Global Witness.The high court claim says the claimants submitted subject access requests to Global Witness under the Data Protection Act during 2012 and 2013, seeking details of personal data about Steinmetz and his colleagues held by Global Witness.
The document says the campaign group has refused to give a description or disclose the information it holds on them. It notes that Global Witness refused on the grounds that it was exempt as the information was held "with a view to journalistic publication".The document says the campaign group has refused to give a description or disclose the information it holds on them. It notes that Global Witness refused on the grounds that it was exempt as the information was held "with a view to journalistic publication".
The BSGR claimants say they are giving notice to Global Witness to "cease, or not to begin, processing the claimants' personal data" on a number of grounds, including that "it has involved the association by the defendant of the named claimants with the unfounded allegations of bribery and corruption on the part of BSGR or its associated entities".The BSGR claimants say they are giving notice to Global Witness to "cease, or not to begin, processing the claimants' personal data" on a number of grounds, including that "it has involved the association by the defendant of the named claimants with the unfounded allegations of bribery and corruption on the part of BSGR or its associated entities".
Global Witness, which campaigns against abuses in the exploitation of natural resources around the world, said in response to the claim: "Global Witness intends to robustly defend its position and regards the claim as an attempt to stifle journalism in the public interest.Global Witness, which campaigns against abuses in the exploitation of natural resources around the world, said in response to the claim: "Global Witness intends to robustly defend its position and regards the claim as an attempt to stifle journalism in the public interest.
"Global Witness has been investigating and reporting for over a year on how BSGR obtained rights to one of the world's largest iron ore deposits, the Simandou iron ore mine in Guinea. We have highlighted serious corruption concerns surrounding the deal, explaining in detail the reasons for our findings and asking questions of the companies concerned at every stage."Global Witness has been investigating and reporting for over a year on how BSGR obtained rights to one of the world's largest iron ore deposits, the Simandou iron ore mine in Guinea. We have highlighted serious corruption concerns surrounding the deal, explaining in detail the reasons for our findings and asking questions of the companies concerned at every stage.
"BSGR still has not explained important aspects of its Simandou deal, notably the ownership of secretive companies associated with it. Rather than seeking to bully those raising legitimate concerns, BSGR should address these matters directly.""BSGR still has not explained important aspects of its Simandou deal, notably the ownership of secretive companies associated with it. Rather than seeking to bully those raising legitimate concerns, BSGR should address these matters directly."
• This article was amended on 17 December 2013 to clarify that the action was brought by individuals associated with BSGR, not the company.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.