Business & human rights: Weekly Update - December 19, 2007

From the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre:
Weekly Update: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre - 19 December
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=2007/12/19

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

* Multi-stakeholder initiatives: Summary report on meeting in the Hague
hosted by John Ruggie, UN Special Representative on business & human
rights, 6-7 Nov 2007
- Background paper: "Principles that make for effective governance of
multi-stakeholder initiatives"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/769277

* USA: Briefing prepared by Fried Frank law firm for John Ruggie:
"Trends in the Use of Corporate Law and Shareholder Activism to Increase
Corporate Responsibility and Accountability for Human Rights"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/846297

* China: Workers in Junxingye factory making crucifixes for religious
gift shops in US work 15-hour days in poor conditions, says Natl. Labor
Committee (USA)
- Response by Full Start (Junxingye factory parent company)
- Article with response by Singer (US company distributing the
crucifixes)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/478354

* Sri Lanka: 42 companies sign up for new code of conduct against
workplace sexual harassment
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/665361

* Intl. Migrants' Day, 18 Dec - 4 items:

- Intl. Organization for Migration (IOM) calls for respect of migrant
workers' rights - co-operation between govts., relevant agencies,
private sector
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/507867

- So. and E. Africa: 2008 project by IOM will research trafficking of
men for exploitative labour
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/790644

- Human Rights Watch & migrant groups call on 22 Asian & Middle Eastern
govts. involved in "Colombo Process" on migrant workers to implement
reforms
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/780267

- USA: Forced labour & exploitation of migrant workers in Florida's
fruit-picking industry (Independent, UK)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/224287

* India: Govt. proposes policy to protect tribal population from
displacement by companies, Special Economic Zones
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/249280

* Further to last week's Update:
- Abbott Laboratories response to Oxfam's report "Investing for Life"
- Wyeth has not responded
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/Oxfamresponses

* Sierra Leone: Govt. halts work at Koidu Holdings diamond mine after 2
die & several injured when police disperse protest
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/764257

* US law firms including Arent Fox in partnership with US & Afghan
Govts. to reform Afghan judiciary
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/445374

* China: New website names over 4000 high-polluters - including Chinese
& foreign companies
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/264358

* Mexico, Guatemala & Jamaica: USAID supports business-led initiatives
to combat HIV/AIDS discrimination
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/102131

* Further to last week's Update, regarding Dream for Darfur call on
Olympic sponsors to raise Sudan concerns with Chinese Govt.
- CSR Asia overview: "Sudan, the Beijing Olympics and its corporate
sponsors"
- Visa response
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/718749

* Further to last week's Update, regarding War on Want report "Fanning
the Flames":
- BHP Billiton says it has nothing to add to the response by Intl.
Council on Mining & Metals, advises readers to review its Sustainability
Report
- Xstrata has said it will provide a response
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/FanningFlames

* Español: Colombia: Fiscalía investiga por primera vez a directivos de
empresas bananeras por nexos con paramilitares
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/269436

* Español: México: ONG CEMDA alerta sobre riesgos a la salud de medio
millar de personas por un basurero de empresa Confinam
- Secretaría del Ambiente había autorizado la construcción de un
relleno sanitario, pero no para confinar desechos tóxicos
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/764199

* Español: España: El Consejo Económico y Social catalán crea
institución para impulsar las buenas prácticas entre las pequeñas empresas
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/710568

* Français : France : Ministre d'état & de l'écologie propose une
responsabilité élargie des entreprises pour les obligations
environnementales des filiales
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/334752

* Français : UNICEF, Google, One Laptop per Child lancent un programme
pour promouvoir le dialogue entre enfants à travers le monde
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/957646