Photo exhibit of land evictions in Guatemala coming to Vancouver

Watch for a travelling photo exhibit this fall and early winter.

As mentioned earlier on this blog, a photographer, James Rodriguez, took evocative photographs of a land eviction in Guatemala as it happened. You can view his online gallery here.

Stay tuned for more details.

Business & human rights: Weekly Update - August 22, 2007

From the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre:
Weekly Update: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre - 22 Aug 2007

CLICK THIS LINK FOR ALL TOP STORIES added past 7 days /
Principales noticias / Articles de premier plan:
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Categories/Topstories?date=2007/08/22

The top stories include / Las noticias incluyen / Les articles
incluent:

* Ruggie-IFC study may recommend investment contracts include human
rights clause (Stratfor article)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/485271

* USA: Union report accuses Cummins of violating workers' basic labour
rights
- Cummins response
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/414504

* Ugandan security guards in Iraq allege "exploitative practices" by
recruitment agencies - including withholding passports
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/793110

* Chinese manufacturers "anonymity" may come to end following safety
recalls of Mattel toys, other products (Economist)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/539526

* USA: Mossville, Louisiana residents with high levels of toxic
chemicals in blood (further to last week's Update):
- Responses by Sasol, Georgia Gulf
- ConocoPhillips, Lyondell did not respond
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/Mossvillereport-July2007

* US judge says lawsuit against Chevron for human rights abuses in
Nigeria can continue
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/962121
- See also our summary of Chevron case:
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/248046

* USA: Court grants Rio Tinto rehearing of lawsuit accusing it of human
rights abuses in Papua New Guinea
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/288919
- See also our summary of Rio Tinto case:
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/484837

* "Complicity in Human Rights Violations: A Responsible Business
Approach to Suppliers": Report by Margaret Jungk
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/199749

* IFC, IBLF, UN Global Compact guide to human rights impact assessment
- road-testing draft
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/198477

* UK-based Biwater sues Tanzania in World Bank tribunal over failed
water privatisation - overview & update
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/398076

* Report ranks 22 So. Korean companies' reporting on environmental &
human rights issues
- Yuhan-Kimberly, Korea South-East Power, POSCO, Daewoo Securities
score highest
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/252745

* Job announcement, Danish Institute for Human Rights: Advisor/analyst
for Human Rights & Business Project (deadline 7 Sep)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/705815

* Español: Uruguay: Trabajadores de papelera Botnia detienen
actividades por exposición a tóxicos
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/212448

* Español: Chile: Mapuches dicen que torres para llevar energía de
Aysén al centro del país impactarían ambiente, tierras - Gerente de
HidroAysén dice que zona inundada disminuyó 36,5%
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/358606

* Español: Perú: Documental de video sobre los impactos sociales y
ambientales de Minera Majaz (parte de Monterrico Metals) - incluye
declaración de la empresa
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/424040

* Español: México: Empresa Caresa acusada ante instancia del TLCAN de
afectar salud de habitantes en Tabasco
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/602652

* Español: Chile: Programa estatal de igualdad certifica empresas que
instalen buenas prácticas laborales de equidad de género
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/562591

* Français : Reporters sans frontières accuse la société américaine Go
Daddy d'avoir suspendu sans explication des sites dissidents chinois
qu'elle hébergeait
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/936164

* Français : Code de conduite contre le tourisme sexuel avec des
enfants, signé par plus de 600 entreprises (y compris Accor, Hotelplan,
Kuoni)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/898936

Business & human rights: Weekly Update - August 15, 2007

This is from the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre:
Weekly Update: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre - 15 August 2007

CLICK THIS LINK FOR ALL TOP STORIES added past 7 days /
Principales noticias / Articles de premier plan:
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Categories/Topstories?date=2007/08/15

The top stories include / Las noticias incluyen / Les articles
incluent:

* USA: Mossville, Louisiana residents have high levels of toxic
chemicals in their blood & environment, according to US Govt. data - NGO
report says nearby factories are responsible
We invited the companies to respond:
- Entergy, PPG responses provided
- ConocoPhillips, Georgia Gulf, Lyondell did not respond
- Sasol is preparing a response, which we will include in next week's
Update
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/Mossvillereport-July2007

* War on Want report alleges Anglo American "profits from abuse,
murders"
- Anglo American response
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/710424

* GlaxoSmithKline agrees to generic production of AIDS drugs for Rwanda
- first use of Canadian regime seeking to ease production of cheap
drugs for poor countries
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/818893

* Financial Times interview with leading Indian historian Ramachandra
Guha - tribals suffering from "wholesale stripping out of raw materials"
from their land
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/789228

* World Water Week:
- Experts ask whether biofuel production diverts water from food crops
in developing countries
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/400158
- World Business Council for Sustainable Development launches tool to
help companies measure impacts on water
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/279871

* India: CSR Asia commentary on defamation lawsuit brought by Fibres &
Fabrics against 2 NGOs
- Clean Clothes Campaign call for action: "Support freedom of speech
and freedom of association"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/513870

* "Action Plan to combat child labour: 15 recommendations for
companies" - comments sought
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/839553

* India: AIDS Healthcare Foundation says many cannot afford Cipla's
drugs because it charges higher prices than in Africa - Cipla denies it
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/129063

* Overseas Development Institute: "Business engagement in humanitarian
relief" - refers to initiatives by over 100 companies
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/990178

* Laos: Newsweek article - "A Kinder, Gentler Dam" describes steps to
minimise harmful impacts in construction of Nam Theun 2
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/968386

* Organisers of Public Eye on Davos call for nominations of
"irresponsible" corporations & "role models"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/448698

* Business & Human Rights Resource Centre is recruiting research
interns for our London office - closing date 18 Oct
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Aboutus/Internrecruitment

* Español: México: 2 tribunales colegiados determinan que trabajadores
migrantes indocumentados tienen derechos laborales
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/864870

* Español: Argentina: Primer conflicto sindical resuelto a través de
directrices OCDE entre Cargill y Unión Obrera Molinera Argentina
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/748818

* Español: Colombia: Indígenas Wayú bloquearán gasoducto
Colombo-Venezolano por no haber sido consultados
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/562352

* Español: México: Protestas contra construcción de empresa Urbasol por
afectar fuentes de agua
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/356518

* Español: Semana Mundial del Agua: Expertos advierten que producción
de biocombustibles amenaza reservas acuíferas
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/857781

* Français : Semaine mondiale de l'eau - Production des biocarburants
pourrait détourner l'eau de la cultivation des aliments
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/293766

* Français : GlaxoSmithKline autorise un générique anti-sida pour le
Rwanda - premier accord dans le cadre d'un régime canadien d'accès aux
médicaments
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/537742

Backgrounder: Amnesty letters on SPP

Here are two letters written from Canadian, American, and Mexican national representatives of Amnesty International. It was written during previous flashpoints in the process, the first in 2006 in the wake of the establishment of the SPP, and the second in 2005 prior to a trilateral meeting, calling for the adoption of a "North American human rights agenda".

Open Letter to Stephen Harper, George W. Bush and Vicente Fox

Posted: 28 March 2006

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington D.C. 20500
United States of America

President Vicente Fox
Residencia Oficial de los Pinos
Casa Miguel Alemán
Col. San Miguel Chapultepec
11850, Distrito Federal
México

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper
Prime Minister of Canada
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario.
K1A 0A2
Canada

29 March 2006

Dear President Bush, President Fox and Prime Minister Harper

One year ago we wrote to President Bush, President Fox and Prime Minister Martin in advance of their trilateral meeting in Waco, Texas . We urged that the meeting become an occasion to make a firm commitment to put human rights at the centre of all aspects of the relationship among our three countries. We write now, in advance of your March 30-31 summit in Cancun, Mexico, because we remain concerned that more must be done to improve the protection of human rights throughout North America.

The meeting in Waco led to the establishment of the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP). The SPP was reached more than a decade following the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which forged a close economic and political relationship among Canada, Mexico and the United States. Unfortunately, though, over the twelve years of that relationship and despite agreements such as NAFTA and the SPP, there have been no steps taken to put in place an effective and comprehensive North American human rights action plan.

When we wrote last year we highlighted four issues which transcend North American borders and where significant human rights shortcomings require urgent attention and reform: security and human rights; trade and investment; refugees and migrants; and the rights of Indigenous peoples. We have attached that letter as an annex. The concerns raised and recommendations proposed remain current.

In Cancun you will review progress made in the Security and Prosperity Partnership. Neither true security nor equitable prosperity, however, can be achieved without scrupulous regard for human rights. That matters deeply, for all people living within the borders of Canada , Mexico and the United States. It has wider global significance as well though. Deficient human rights practices in North America have an impact far beyond our borders; while North American human rights leadership can go far in strengthening the protection of basic rights around the world.

President Bush, President Fox and Prime Minister Harper, it is time to remedy the human rights gap in the North American relationship. We urge you to use this meeting to commit to establishing a meaningful and concrete North American human rights partnership.

Sincerely,

Michel Frenette
Directeur General
Amnistie Internationale
Section Canadienne francophone

Alex Neve
Secretary General
Amnesty International Canada
(English Branch)

Liliana Velázquez Ramírez
Presidenta
Amnistía Internacional
México

William Schulz
Executive Director
Amnesty International USA
ANNEX

March 21, 2005

Dear President Bush, President Fox and Prime Minister Martin,

We are writing to you on behalf of the more than 400,000 members of Amnesty International in Canada , Mexico and the United States , to urge that you use the occasion of your upcoming trilateral meeting on March 23rd to make a firm commitment to putting human rights at the centre of all aspects of the relationship among our three countries.

Canada , Mexico and the United States individually and collectively face a number of human rights challenges. Our three nations also have the opportunity to demonstrate human rights leadership, both globally and regionally in the Americas . We are aware that you are being pressed to deepen and expand the linkages and connections among our countries, including a suggestion that a North American Community be formed within the next five years.[1] Whether or not this is accomplished, there are already human rights shortcomings that remain unaddressed in the relationship among Canada, Mexico and the United States. Be it evolving security relationships among our three governments, high levels of trade and investment, cross-border flows of refugees and migrants, or the plight of Indigenous peoples, a number of issues with important human rights implications are either explicitly on your agenda or form a critical backdrop to the meeting.

Amnesty International urges you to adopt the following recommendations, as a step toward developing a sorely needed North American human rights agenda.

Security and Human Rights

It is apparent that your meeting will include discussion of tightening border security among our three countries. Some commentators have called for you to work towards the establishing a North American wide security perimeter. Amnesty International has repeatedly underscored the importance of ensuring that all security laws and practices adopted by states are grounded in absolute respect for international human rights norms.

We are deeply concerned, however, that since September 11 th the U.S. government in particular has pursued an approach to security that has led to serious violations of fundamental human rights. That has included the deeply disturbing incidents of torture and ill-treatment of detainees in US custody exemplified by the photos of US soldiers abusing detainees at Iraq’s Abu Ghraib detention centre, the continuing indefinite detention of hundreds of individuals at Guantánamo Bay, and the troubling practice of extraordinary rendition whereby individuals have been transferred by U.S. officials into the custody of foreign governments in circumstances where there is a clear risk of torture. In fact, one such case of extraordinary rendition involved a Canadian citizen, Maher Arar, arrested in the United States and sent to Syria, where he was held for one year without charge or trial and subjected to severe torture.

Our concerns are not limited to the United States. We have repeatedly called on Canada to reform its security laws so as to conform to international legal obligations. In particular, the practice of detaining individuals pursuant to security certificates issued under the country’s immigration legislation denies detainees basic fair trial protections and puts them at risk of being deported to torture.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s remarks in Mexico on March 10 th, indicating that the U.S. has concerns about “al-Qaida trying to use our southern border, but also about them trying to use our northern border” suggest an intention to develop a common North American approach to security matters. It is imperative that any further cooperation among our three countries be within a strong human rights framework.

President Bush, President Fox, and Prime Minister Martin, your meeting offers a valuable opportunity to commit to a North American security agenda that is wholly grounded in respect for international human rights obligations, including protection against torture, freedom from discrimination, and the right not to be arbitrarily arrested and detained. Insecurity does not stem from government efforts to protect and safeguard human rights, but rather from a failure to ensure the universal fulfillment of those rights.

We urge you to go further and demonstrate that your governments are prepared to strengthen human rights protection in ways that will improve the real security of women, men and children around the world. One such initiative presently before the international community is a proposal for a new international treaty that would regulate the global trade in small arms and light weapons. The largely unregulated trade in small arms and light weapons has contributed significantly to much of the world’s insecurity and grave human rights abuses. Amnesty International calls on each of your governments to announce support for this effort at the very earliest date possible.

Trade and Investment

It is over ten years since Canada , Mexico and the United States officially entered, in 1994, into the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). At that time and since, many organizations have expressed serious concern that increased trade and investment links among the three countries would pose a risk to human rights, the environment and workers rights unless strong and effective mechanisms for protection were put in place. Those concerns have deepened as NAFTA has, over the past several years, stood as a possible model for a proposed free trade area that would span the Americas.

Amnesty International is concerned that the rapid increase in trade among and between Canada , Mexico and the United States has not been accompanied by a concomitant increase in laws and institutions for the protection of fundamental human rights. There is a high human cost of this failure. For example, young women from all over Mexico have been attracted to jobs in the maquila zones in the cities of Ciudad Juárez and Chihuahua . But over the past 12 years, nearly 400 young women from these cities have been murdered, and many more are missing. The failure of local and national Mexican authorities to respond to this alarming level of violence in a timely and effective manner is a human rights tragedy. So too, though, has been the failure of the Canadian and US governments, as well as the Canadian and US companies that operate in Ciudad Juárez and Chihuahua, to consider the connections between this violence against Mexican women and the economic conditions that have resulted from NAFTA.

President Bush, President Fox and Prime Minister Martin, Amnesty International urges that you make a firm commitment at your meeting on March 23rd to ensuring that human rights will be at the centre of business in North America. In particular, obligations under international human rights law must be acknowledged to have primacy and precedence over trade and investment rights and obligations. We urge you to initiate steps to launch a public and transparent process for carrying out human rights impact assessments of the trade rules that already exist within NAFTA and to consistently undertake such assessments before those trade rules are amended or expanded in any way.

In the face of expanding trade and investment within North America and more widely throughout this hemisphere, it is critical that there be strong and effective regional human rights laws and institutions in the Americas . Notably, the Organization of American States’ (OAS) human rights system needs to be significantly strengthened and improved. Neither Canada nor the United States have yet ratified any of the key OAS human rights treaties and should move to do so without further delay.

Refugees and Migrants

The land borders that divide Canada , the United States , and Mexico are immense, extending a total of 12,000 kilometres (7500 miles). Hundreds of millions of people cross those borders every year. Among them are refugees from all corners of the world, seeking asylum in either Canada or the United States . Among them also are migrants from Mexico and from Central and South America , seeking economic opportunities in Canada and the United States in hope of escaping the grinding poverty and violations of economic, social and cultural rights at home.

It can be dangerous to cross these borders, and unknown numbers of refugees and migrants have lost their lives in desperate efforts to reach the United States or Canada. While Amnesty International recognizes the right of sovereign countries to regulate their borders and further recognizes that all migrants do not have the right of entry, we are also concerned that laws, policies and practices related to the two land borders that separate our three countries may have the effect of denying the fundamental rights of thousands of individuals. We are also concerned that any moves toward possible harmonization of the immigration and asylum policies of our three countries would likely gravitate toward the lowest common denominator, thus further jeopardizing the basic rights of refugees and migrants.

The recently concluded “safe third country” refugee agreement between Canada and the United States is one such example. Amnesty International is concerned that the operation of that agreement, which prevents most asylum-seekers traveling through the United States from gaining access to Canada’s refugee determination system, in some cases leads to the detention of asylum-seekers, which is generally discouraged under international standards. The recent expansion of "expedited removal" to include uninspected foreigners within 100 miles of all U.S. land borders and to apply for the first two weeks after arrival, as well as its expansion to include asylum-seekers crossing from Canada pursuant to the safe third country agreement, is a troubling development that diminishes rather than enhances the right to seek asylum.

President Bush, President Fox and Prime Minister Martin, North American borders must be a frontier for the protection of human rights, not a place where the basic rights of vulnerable individuals are abused. Amnesty International calls on you to take no steps toward harmonization of immigration and asylum laws that would lead to human rights violations. The current agreement between Canada and the United States should be abrogated, and asylum-seekers ought to be allowed to decide in which of the two countries to lodge their asylum claims.

Protecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in North America

Indigenous peoples remain among the most vulnerable sectors of society throughout North America . The determination of Indigenous peoples to maintain their distinct ways of living, and the centrality of these customs and practices to the fulfillment of their basic rights to food, healthcare, and work, is in constant tension with discriminatory attitudes and policies that disregard the interests of Indigenous peoples and exclude them from meaningful control of their own lives and futures.

The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people has pointed out that increased global trade and investment has led to more mines, roads and other projects in Indigenous communities. When major investment initiatives take place in lands used by Indigenous peoples, the Special Rapporteur has concluded, "it is likely that their communities will undergo profound social and economic changes that are frequently not well understood, much less foreseen, by the authorities in charge of promoting the projects. Large-scale development projects will inevitably affect the living conditions of indigenous peoples. Sometimes the impact will be beneficial, very often it is devastating, but it is never negligible.[2]

As our three governments discuss ways to increase trade and investment, it is essential to consult closely with Indigenous peoples to understand and address the potential impacts on their distinct rights. Particular priority must be given to ensuring that all Indigenous peoples have secure access to the lands and resources needed to maintain their unique cultures and enjoy their fundamental human rights. Immediate measures must be taken to resolve outstanding land and resource disputes in a fair and transparent manner consistent with a progressive interpretation of the rights of Indigenous peoples under domestic and international law.

Given the widespread dispossession and displacement that has already occurred in Indigenous communities throughout North America , attention must also be paid to the situation of the growing urban Indigenous populations in all three countries and to ensuring the provision of services in ways that are culturally appropriate. Particular attention should be paid to measures needed to assure the safety and welfare of urban Indigenous women who are often doubly disadvantaged by racial prejudice and by global patterns of discrimination against women. Information concerning effective responses to the situation of Indigenous women should be shared among the three governments.

President Bush, President Fox and Prime Minister Martin, Amnesty International urges you to seize the opportunity afforded by your meeting to demonstrate global leadership in ending the longstanding neglect of the human rights of Indigenous peoples, in North American and around the world. Among our three countries, only Mexico has ratified the Convention Concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries (ILO 169). The governments of Canada and the United States should consult with Indigenous peoples with a view to ratifying this Convention. All three states should give priority to timely adoption of strong and effective declarations on the rights of Indigenous peoples within the United Nations and Organization of American States.

Conclusion

The North American relationship must be one that is characterized by a firm commitment to human rights, both in how each of your governments governs its own affairs, but also in the initiatives that you pursue in common. Amnesty International urges each of you to take advantage of your upcoming meeting to establish that vision of North America .

[1] Creating a North American Community, Report of the Independent Task Force on the Future of North America, Sponsored by the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations, the Consejo Mexicano de Asuntos Internacionales and the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, March 2005.

[2] Rodolfo Stavenhagen, Special rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people, Indigenous issues: Human Rights and Indigenous Issues, Report submitted to the Commission on Human Rights, 59th Session, E/CN.4/2003/90. 21 January 2003.

Human Rights and the Security and Prosperity Partnership

For those of you who haven't heard, there has been a drive behind closed doors amongst the governments of Canada, the United States, and Mexico, for the last couple of years to pursue a North American policy of deep integration called the Security and Prosperity Partnership. On August 20-21 in Montebello, Quebec, the three governments are meeting again. Again, we don't know specifically what will be on the agenda.

It has been a secretive process. There has been no paliamentary oversight in Canada. It was due to the efforts of NDP MP Peter Julian that the Standing committee of International Trade held some hearing on the SPP. The Conservatives tried to shut down a hearing of the committee at which University of Alberta professor Gordon Laxer was going to raise serious concerns about the SPP as it relates to energy policy.

Alternet has coverage on corporate accountability and the workplace

Please note, I have added a new link under the "Resources" section in the sidebar.

Alternet, a US alternative media outlet which provides focussed coverage in several different general areas, now has special coverage of issues related to corporate accountability and the workplace.

Much of it is focussed on US companies, but many of the issues are the same.

Business & human rights: Weekly Update - August 8, 2007

From the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre:
Weekly Update: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre - 8 August 2007

CLICK THIS LINK FOR ALL TOP STORIES added past 7 days /
Principales noticias / Articles de premier plan:
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Categories/Topstories?date=2007/08/08

The top stories include / Las noticias incluyen / Les articles
incluent:

* UN Special Representative John Ruggie & IFC launch study of
investment agreements & human rights
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/851878

* Niger: Tuareg spokesman says mining by Areva causing social &
environmental damage - also alleges discrimination
- Areva response
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/954912

* Indian court rejects Novartis patent challenge - Médecins Sans
Frontières & aid agencies welcome ruling as "victory for public health"
- Novartis says ruling will discourage research & development of better
medicines
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/991562

* So. Africa: New Anglo American boss says company's safety record "not
acceptable", pledges improvements
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/840007

* Philippines: 8 intl. apparel firms urge President Arroyo to stop
attacks on workers in export processing zone - American Eagle Outfitters,
Gap, Jones Apparel, Liz Claiborne, Philips-Van Heusen, Polo Ralph
Lauren, VF Corp, Wal-Mart
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/583425

* US Congressional committee to investigate whether Yahoo! lied over
its role in jailing of Chinese journalist
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/764558

* Dubai takes initial steps to improve working conditions for migrant
labourers - unions still banned
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/897735

* Saudi Arabia: Human Rights Commission calls for directive to address
health concerns over outdoor work in midday heat
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/768391

* Mexico: Amnesty Intl. warns of human rights risks around La Parota
dam project
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/503507

* AirAsia to provide for disabled travellers after dialogue with NGOs
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/825138

* Indonesia: Land conflicts increase between communities & palm oil
companies - refers to Duta Palma, Wilmar, Unilever
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/159133

* Oxfam accuses Repsol of abusing rights of South American indigenous
tribes - company rejects allegations
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/235394

* CSR Asia: The stories behind Mattel's recall of 1.5 million
Chinese-made toys
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/589742

* Amnesty Intl. job vacancy: Researcher on impact of intl. economic
relations on human rights in Colombia
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/420701

* Español: México: Amnistía Internacional alerta sobre peligros a los
derechos humanos alrededor del proyecto presa La Parota
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/696705

* Español: Perú: Intermón Oxfam acusa a Repsol de vulnerar los derechos
de las comunidades indígenas
- Repsol asegura que cumple con la legislación nacional
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/229811

* Español: Argentina: 5 marcas deportivas (Puma, Bensimon, Le Coq
Sportif, Topper, Arena) investigadas por explotar a indocumentados
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/112351

* Español: España: Caja Navarra pone en marcha "protocolo de
maternidad" para asegurar la igualdad de oportunidades de sus empleadas
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/196543

* Español: India: Tribunal falla contra Novartis en caso de patente de
medicamento - ONGs aplauden decisión
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/469231

* Français : Tanzanie : ABB aide les villages ruraux avec
l'électrification durable pour le développement social & économique
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/598764

* Français : Inde : Tribunal rejette le recours de Novartis contre la
loi sur les brevets - ONGs saluent « une victoire pour les patients »
- selon Novartis, la décision découragera le développement de meilleurs
médicaments
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/290907 

Business & human rights: Weekly Update - August 1, 2007

From the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre:

Weekly Update: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre - 1 August 2007

CLICK THIS LINK FOR ALL TOP STORIES added past 7 days /
Principales noticias / Articles de premier plan:
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Categories/Topstories?date=2007/08/01

The top stories include / Las noticias incluyen / Les articles
incluent:

* Report prepared for UN Special Representative John Ruggie on state
responsibilities to regulate corporate activities under Convention on
Rights of the Child
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/928833

* Mozambique: Security guards at Mafambisse sugar plantation accused of
killing striking worker
- Tongaat Hulett's response
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/562295

* India: World Bank issues report on corporate response to HIV/AIDS
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/155604

* USA: Jury finds Drummond not liable for complicity in murders of
union leaders in Colombia - plaintiffs plan to appeal
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/700787

* Ecuador: Critics of Ascendant Copper project face death threats,
Amnesty warns
- article includes company's response
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/289499

* Japan: Lawsuit says immigrant workers in "training programme" faced
sweatshop conditions at TMC, which supplies Toyota, Nissan -- also
refers to Honda
- article includes company responses
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/897397

* USA: Human Rights Campaign report "shows major increase in basic
workplace protections for gay, transgender employees" - includes list of
policies at Fortune 500 companies
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/217350

* Israel: 2007 MAALA index ranks 53 companies for social
responsibility, including workplace rights, environment
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/505764

* CSR Asia: "China's environmental degradation creating social
time-bomb" - refers to health effects, protests against factories
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/115526

* USA: Nike settles class action racial discrimination lawsuit for $7.6
million
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/912974

* India: ICFAI Business School case study on controversy over pesticide
residues in Coca Cola & Pepsi drinks
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/725749

* Mattel helps ensure decent working conditions & product safety by
owning toy factories in China, says NY Times article
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/267405

* Español: Jurado de EE.UU. declara inocente a Drummond en cargos de
complicidad con asesinatos de sindicalistas en Colombia
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/527595

* Español: Campaña Ropa Limpia verificará que Inditex cumpla su nuevo
código de conducta sobre condiciones laborales
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/314548

* Español: Ecuador: Amnistía Internacional dice que opositores a
proyecto minero de Ascendant Copper sufren amenazas de muerte
- artículo (en inglés) incluye respuesta de la empresa
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/403293

* Français : Enquête à Paris contre dirigeants de Trafigura à la suite
du déversement de produits toxiques en Côte d'Ivoire
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/933560

* Français : Rwanda : Premier pays à déroger dans le cadre de l'OMC aux
brevets des médicaments contre le sida pour importer des génériques
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/373545