Business & human rights: Weekly Update November 14, 2007

From the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre:
Weekly Update: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre - 14 November
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=2007/11/14

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

* "Beyond corporate spheres of influence" - researchers for John Ruggie
invite comments on a more "useful analytical tool" for assigning
corporate responsibilities (authors' emails available at end of article)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/872228

* Christian Aid & other organizations call on multinationals in Zambia
to give the country "a better deal" in copper mining contracts
- Vedanta response
- Zambia Copper Investments response
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/778676

* Yahoo! settles lawsuit by two imprisoned Chinese journalists & their
families
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/253057

* Ghana: Shell trains staff as peer educators to help sensitise workers
on HIV-AIDS
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/612767 

* Zimbabwe: Barclays accused of lending to govt. ministers on
international blacklist
- Barclays response
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/276458

* Group of 46 companies calls on governments to implement policies to
combat climate change
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/951391

* Burma: "Gem trade bolsters military regime, fuels atrocities", says
Human Rights Watch - calls for ban on Burmese rubies & jade, recognises
steps taken by Bulgari, Cartier, Leber Jeweler, Tiffany, business group
Jewelers of America
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/558210

* Financial Times on efforts to certify jewellery as 'Fair Trade'
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/679774

* Kimberley Process agrees on tougher measures to block conflict
diamonds from Côte d'Ivoire - industry group favours stricter controls
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/715096

* Amazon.com does not certify its diamonds are "conflict-free"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/507936

* Indonesia: Greenpeace accuses food companies of risking massive
greenhouse gas emissions by driving demand for palm oil grown on peat
deposits
- Nestlé, Unilever, Cargill respond
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/986527

* Canada: Tribunal upholds claim that SELI, SNC-Lavalin tried to
intimidate foreign construction workers on Vancouver transit line to keep
them from unionising
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/695705

* Private military & security companies:

- UN Working Group warns: states "may be responsible for violations of
internationally recognized human rights committed by the personnel" of
private security companies
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/173993

- Iraqi Govt. says DynCorp guard killed taxi driver (article includes
DynCorp response)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/779819

- FBI says Blackwater's guards killed at least 14 Iraqi civilians
without justification in 16 Sep incident
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/906099

* Español: México: Reporte expone abusos laborales de la industria
electrónica - incluye respuestas de las empresas
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/585859

* Español: Yahoo! alcanza acuerdo con disidentes chinos encarcelados
tras información proporcionada por la empresa
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/723824

* Español: México: Trabajadores en plataformas marítimas de Pemex
sufren "constantes violaciones" a sus derechos humanos
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/572394

* Español: Guatemala: Fundación Menchú defenderá jurídicamente a
pueblos indígenas ante actividad minera
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/522584

* Español: Google y Cisco lanzan herramienta en línea para conocer los
avances hacia los Objetivos del Milenio
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/624648

* Français : Rép. Dém. du Congo : 18 tonnes de minerais radioactifs
déversées dans une rivière au sud-est - appartiennent à Magma-Lubumbashi,
Chemaf, selon les autorités locales
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/387472

* Français : Accord à l'amiable entre Yahoo! & les familles de deux
journalistes chinois emprisonnés
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/651096

* Français : Birmanie : Total y est le "dernier rempart de la
démocratie" selon son directeur général
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/527171