Business & human rights: Weekly Update - January 30, 2008

From the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre:
Weekly Update: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre - 30 January
2008

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=2008/01/30

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

* "Business & Human Rights in Conflict Zones: The Role of Home States"
- Report on consultation co-convened by Global Witness and UN Special
Representative John Ruggie, Berlin, 5 Nov 2007
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/629000

* "Private Security Contractors at War: Ending the Culture of
Impunity", report by Human Rights First
- Responses by Aegis, Crescent Security, Triple Canopy
- We also invited Blackwater, Custer Battles, KBR, Zapata Engineering
to respond. We will indicate in next week's Update whether they have
responded.
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/HRFprivatesecurity

* Private sector engagement in humanitarian relief - 2 new initiatives:

- World Economic Forum & UN "Guiding Principles for Public-Private
Collaboration for Humanitarian Action"
- Agility, TNT, UPS launch joint emergency response initiative
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/212407

* Concerns raised over Firestone sponsorship of US Super Bowl given
alleged labour & environmental abuses in Liberia
- Firestone response
- Rejoinder to Firestone by Dave Zirin
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/588339

* USA: "Starbucks emails describe efforts to stop unionization" (Wall
St. Journal)
- Company says it complies with labour laws
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/754747

* India: Dutch NGOs and Fiber & Fabrics Intl. come to agreement in
labour rights case - ombudsman will be appointed to resolve future problems
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/690338

* Bangladesh: Police arrest Worker Rights Consortium investigator; WRC
says "no legitimate reason" for arrest
- NGOs call on retailers to make enquiries of govt.
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/651061

* Ecuador revokes hundreds of mine concessions over failure to pay
environmental levies
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/177495

* Amnesty Intl. calls on French banks to strengthen policies on
anti-personnel mines & cluster munitions
- Response by Crédit Agricole
- Natixis has indicated it will send a response, which we will include
in a future Update
- BNP Paribas indicated it is in dialogue with Amnesty Intl. and
therefore does not wish to respond publicly to Amnesty's 24 Jan press release
- Société Générale said it has proposed a meeting with Amnesty Intl.
We will indicate in next week's Update whether it has provided a
response.
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/209641

* UK: 21 food manufacturers commit to save water, including Cadbury
Schweppes, Tate & Lyle, Nestlé
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/963770

* further to our 16 Jan Update: Rejoinder by Adalah-NY to Lev Leviev
response regarding alleged abuses in Occupied Territories, Angola, New
York, sourcing from Burma
- Lev Leviev declines to comment further, but provides updated list of
non-profits that have received donations from Mr. Leviev
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/819579

* Español: Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos emite medidas
cautelares por "negligencia" contra El Salvador por contaminación de
Baterías RECORD
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/906737

* Español: Honduras: Análisis de laboratorio muestran daños a la salud
de personas en el Valle de Siria - minera Entremares niega su
responsabilidad
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/593111

* Español: Caixa Catalunya apoya con microcréditos a emprendedores en
Ecuador y Colombia
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/381170

* Español: Ecuador revoca 587 concesiones mineras por "no pagar"
patentes ambientales
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/820324

* Español: Argentina: Corte ordena a HSBC a indemnizar a trabajadora
discriminada
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/629633

* Français : Amnesty International demande aux banques françaises
d'adopter des politiques de non-investissement dans les entreprises liées
aux mines antipersonnel & aux bombes à sous-munitions
- Réponse de Crédit Agricole
- Natixis a indiqué qu'elle répondra; nous inclurons sa réponse dans
une prochaine édition
- Société Générale a indiqué qu'elle a proposé une réunion à Amnesty
International à ce sujet.  Nous indiquerons dans la prochaine édition si
elle a fourni une réponse.
- BNP Paribas a indiqué qu'elle est couramment en dialogue avec Amnesty
International, donc elle préfère ne pas répondre publiquement au
communiqué d'Amnesty du 24 janvier
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/309831

* Français : Alliance d'entreprises contre la faim réunit Unilever,
Monsanto, TNT, Nike - ONGs africaines craignent que l'initiative ne
bénéficiera pas aux petits producteurs
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/605721

Ethical Investing 101 -- a success!

We had our Ethical Investing 101 workshop Tuesday evening at the Harbour Centre, and it was a huge success. Between 60 and 70 people came out for the event. The panelists were extremely knowledgeable, and worked well together in shaping thoughtful responses to audience members' questions.
Our own ever able Maria Williams, above, served as the MC for the evening.
The first speaker was Christie Stephenson, Manager, Sustainability Analytics, of The Ethical Funds Company.
Next up was Andrew Crompton, Vice-President, National Sales, with Inhance Investment Inc.
Finally, we heard from Ashley Hamilton, Research Analyst with Shareholder Association for Research and Education.

Big thank you to all who attended, and to the panelists for participating. Thank you also to Maria for taking the lead on organizing the workshop, and AI-BHR group members John ter Borg, who worked with Maria and I to prepare for the event, and Miguel Iriondo, who helped out at the registration table. Finally, thank you to SFPIRG and SFU Harbour Centre for providing the facilities.

Business & human rights: Weekly Update - January 23, 2008

From the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre: 
Weekly Update: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre - 23 January
 2008

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=2008/01/23

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

* Fujian, China: Local govt. halts & may relocate Tenglong Aromatic PX
 paraxylene plant following protest over health impacts - locals hail
 decision as "milestone"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/688217

* China: Intl. Trade Union Confederation starts dialogue for first time
 with All China Federation of Trade Unions
- Decision provokes mixed reactions
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/712250

* Chevron commits $30 million to Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB &
 Malaria - becomes fund's first "corporate champion"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/938000

* Abu Dhabi: Officials from over 20 countries meet to discuss treatment
 of Asian migrant workers
- Human Rights Watch says govts. should address widespread abuses
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/375937

* India: New faith-based Dow Jones Dharma Index includes screening on
 environment, labour, human rights
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/814291

* Colombia: US congressman Delahunt, chair of House Intl. Relations
 Committee, concerned by extent of payments by US companies to
 paramilitaries - will conduct further investigation
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/186738

* Intl. Bridges to Justice calls on business leaders at Davos to
 support rule of law, to help combat torture, arbitrary detention, denial of
 fair trial
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/281502

* Sierra Leone: Diamond Development Initiative is developing standards
 regarding artisanal miners - to help meet poverty & development
 objectives
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/343463

* Google announces $25 million for groups addressing climate change,
 pandemics, economic development
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/503940

* Uzbekistan: 140 Uzbek rights advocates denounce forced child labour
 in cotton fields
- Some companies cease sourcing, including H&M, Krenholm, Marimekko,
 Marks & Spencer, Tesco
- Intl. Cotton Advisory Committee says allegations are "exaggerated" &
 "absurd"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/391245

* Economist special report on corporate responsibility: "done well,
 it's just good business" (refers to John Ruggie, UN Global Compact,
 several companies)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/915593

* Conference on private military & security contractors and human
 rights in the Americas, Univ. of Wisconsin, 31 Jan - 2 Feb
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/571786

* Español: Colombia: Congresista de EE.UU. Delahunt "preocupado" por
 pagos de empresas estadounidenses a paramilitares - promete ahondar en
 sus investigaciones
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/390850

* Español: Uruguay: Autoridades emprenden acciones contra fábrica de
 alfombras Rualer por deficientes medidas de seguridad laboral
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/163120

* Español: Jorge Daniel Taillant, director de CEDHA, dice que un
 análisis de "costo-beneficio" al referirse a empresas y derechos humanos es
 "absolutamente perverso y peligroso"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/610896

* Español: Argentina: Estudios sobre rentabilidad y responsabilidad
 social empresarial - incluye ejemplo de buenas prácticas de Grupo SESA
 Select
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/732112

* Français : Chevron - première entreprise à investir dans le Fonds
 mondial contre le sida, la tuberculose & le paludisme - y commet $30
 million
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/163205

* Français : Nigéria : Le torchage du gaz inutile demeure non-maîtrisé
 - NNPC annonce une nouvelle date limite de décembre 2008
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/392719

Business & human rights: Weekly Update - January 16, 2007

From the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre:
Weekly Update: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre - 16 January
2008

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=2008/01/16

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

* Compilation of all documents prepared by or for UN Special
Representative John Ruggie
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/763255

* Intl. Council on Mining & Metals - 3rd submission to John Ruggie
- Statement by Ruggie on ICMM submission
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/894052

* Tesco bans Uzbek cotton due to use of organised, forced child labour
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/140966

* Investors warn 78 UN Global Compact companies they are "breaching
pledges" by failing to produce progress reports
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/953935

* Adalah-NY (Coalition for Justice in the Middle East) asks Oxfam not
to accept donations from Lev Leviev due to alleged abuses in Occupied
Territories, Angola, New York, sourcing from Burma
- Oxfam says Leviev has not donated - Oxfam does not "knowingly accept
funds from any business involved in any illegal activity"
- Lev Leviev response
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/418188

* India: TERI report commissioned by Coca-Cola says some of its
bottling plants contribute to water scarcity, generally they meet govt.
standards on pollutants
- Coca-Cola commits to take the report's recommendations on board
- Centre for Science & Environment says TERI did not test final product
- soft drinks may still contain pesticides
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/712977

* Tanzania wins £3m damages from Biwater subsidiary - London tribunal
finds water services "deteriorated" under its management
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/771108

* USA: Cases of racial harassment in workplace have doubled since early
1990s
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/203290

* adidas publishes list of its global suppliers - global textile union
welcomes move
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/223598

* Nigeria: Govt. sues three tobacco companies alleging they target
children & put pressure on health services
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/465202

* Tiffany provides funding for TransFair USA to explore feasibility of
fair trade diamond certification
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/729770

* CERES ranks finance firms on climate strategies: HSBC, ABN Amro score
highest; Bear Stearns, Franklin Resources lowest
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/185015

* Responses by Singer, Full Start to concerns about labour abuses in
production of crucifixes in China (further to our 19 Dec Update)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/NLCcrucifixreport

* Job vacancy: Africa Regional Coordinator for Publish What You Pay
(deadline 31 Jan)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/402959

* Job vacancy: Campaigner against "egregious" industrial projects in
Guatemala (deadline 21 Jan)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/539156

* Español: México: Gobierno de Chihuahua retirará apoyo económico a
empresas agrícolas que contraten a menores
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/543061

* Español: Colombia: AngloGold Ashanti opera en zona donde se han
cometido crímenes relacionados a oposición a actividad minera - comentarios
de la empresa
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/537923

* Español: Reporte sobre gestión de la diversidad en empresas españolas
destaca las buenas prácticas en Caja Madrid, Marco Aldany, HP, IBM y
otras
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/932681

* Español: Perú: Pasajera herida en accidente denunciará a PeruRail por
carecer de medidas de seguridad - empresa niega las acusaciones
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/529003

* Español: España: El Real Madrid y 5 entidades lanzan "Causas Justas",
empezando con mensajes por la integración social de los inmigrantes
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/514159

* Français : Soudan : Inquiétudes en raison de risques sanitaires &
environnementaux à cause du boom de la construction à Khartoum
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/129026

* Français : Côte d'Ivoire : Elus américains insistent sur la date
limite de juillet 2008 pour réduire le travail des enfants sur les
plantations de cacao
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/316597

* Français : Afrique : Société financière internationale trouve que le
secteur privé est le seul prestataire de soins de santé dans beaucoup
de régions rurales et de quartiers urbains défavorisés
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/773395

* Français : Annonce de travail : Coordinateur Régional pour l'Afrique
de Publiez Ce Que Vous Payez (date limite 31 Jan)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/907225

Business & human rights: Weekly Update - January 9, 2008

From the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre:
Weekly Update: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre - 09 January 2008

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=2008/01/09

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

* Interview with UN High Commissioner Louise Arbour in Financial Times:
discusses John Ruggie's work, UN Global Compact
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/266960

* Specifying states' duty to protect against corporate human rights
abuses - concept paper prepared for John Ruggie
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/244845

* "Powers without strength": Update on John Ruggie's work looking at
state duty to protect
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/364750

* Indonesia: Building boom drives "exponential" rise in HIV-AIDS -
Asian Development Bank provides loan for construction sector prevention
strategy
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/684515

* Japan: Court ruling on "death by overwork" puts pressure on companies
to pay for "free overtime"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/309128

* WorldWatch "State of the World 2008" highlights environmental
initiatives by companies
- Article refers to steps by Alcoa, Citigroup, Dow Chemical, Duke
Energy, General Motors, Goldman Sachs, Kenya Airways, McKinsey, Wal-Mart,
Xerox, others
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/340488

* China develops guidelines for state-owned enterprises addressing
safety, labour & environmental issues
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/424962

* Klaus Schwab in Foreign Affairs: Key part of corporate governance is
development & implementation of programs to promote human rights &
labour standards - companies must address global challenges such as climate
change, access to water
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/247776

* India: Govt. steps up action on child labour - will extend list of
hazardous sectors, develop protocol on rehabilitation
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/325383

* So. Korea: Fire at Korea 2000 warehouse construction site kills 40
workers
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/405518

* Chapter by Salil Tripathi of Intl. Alert in "Human Security &
Business": "Best intentions cannot go far enough"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/269155

* India: Pepsi aims to make net contribution to water supplies by 2009
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/458895

* Aspen Institute job announcement: Manager, Faculty Networks, Business
and Society Program, New York (deadline 31 Jan 2008)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/332808

* Español: El Salvador: Grupo Calvo lleva a cabo programa para
reinsertar laboralmente a jóvenes ex pandilleros
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/899820

* Español: México: Dejan accidentes en instalaciones de Pemex 157
muertos en últimos tres años
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/325224

* Français : Corée du Sud : 40 morts dans l'incendie d'un entrepôt de
Korea 2000 en construction
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/912558

* Français : Procter & Gamble lance un programme qui vise à aider les
jeunes filles africaines à demeurer à l'école
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/655602

Business & human rights: Weekly Update - January 2, 2007

From the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre:

Weekly Update: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre - 02 January
2008

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=2008/01/02

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

* Liberia: Supreme Court approves union election results at Firestone
rubber plantation
- Labour Minister Woods says ruling signals "dawning of a new day";
calls for ongoing co-operation between the company & union
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/473620

* China: New labour law enters into force - greater protection for
workers but concerns over enforcement
- Reports of some employers firing workers, and using violence against
advocates of the new law
- China Labour Bulletin: "A challenge and an opportunity for China's
official trade union"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/186400

* India: Govt., UNICEF, NGOs & companies including Hindustan Lever,
ICICI, Tata, HDFC, partner to address child under-nutrition (report by
Synergos)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/533985

* Burma: Construction workers in new capital Naypyidaw say they have
not been paid by employers for months
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/546277

* Australian companies importing phosphate from Western Sahara through
Moroccan suppliers, despite UN opposition to Morocco exploiting Western
Sahara's natural resources
- Includes comments by phosphate companies
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/214510

* United Arab Emirates: Over 120 CEOs from companies in Arab countries
commit to reducing environmental impacts
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/526635

* India: Rescued child labourers often find themselves "back at another
dismal job"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/371469

* "Public Interest Litigation in China - A New Force for Social
Justice"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/650797

* USA: Father to sue CIGNA health insurance company; daughter dies
hours after CIGNA reversed decision to deny liver transplant
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/164095

* Female ex-worker of KBR sues company & Halliburton in USA for alleged
gang-rape by fellow employees in Iraq
- Commentary: Case is "one extreme example among thousands" of sexual
assault within US companies
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/536024

* further to our 12 Dec Update:
- Johnson & Johnson response to Oxfam report "Investing for Life"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/Oxfamresponses

* further to our 12 Dec Update:
- Johnson & Johnson response to "Dream for Darfur" report
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/DreamforDarfur

* Español: México y América Central: Parlamento Europeo se refiere a
responsabilidad de las empresas en informe sobre feminicidios
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/746750

* Español: Argentina: ONG es fundada para combatir trabajo esclavo,
principalmente en el sector textil
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/375678

* Español: Perú: Petición para "salvar" a indígenas cacataibo de
exploraciones petrolíferas es presentada ante la Comisión Interamericana de
Derechos Humanos
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/586695

* Español: México: Pemex anuncia remediación ambiental "más importante
de su historia" y convertirá área contaminada en parque
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/318824

* Español: Panamá: Indígenas se oponen a construcción de hidroeléctrica
de AES - empresa dice que no impacta el medio ambiente
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/433610

* Español: España: Senado aprueba ley de comercio de armas que
incrementa la transparencia de las empresas - ONGs celebran medida, pero
advierten que quedan problemas
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/456900

* Español: Brasil: KPMG y Fundación Fesmai trabajan conjuntamente por
las niñas desfavorecidas en Belem
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/173696

* Français : Chine : La nouvelle loi du travail entre en vigeur
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/783197

* Français : Electrabel & Volvo créent la première usine de véhicules
sans émissions de CO2
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/530633