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