Business & human rights: Weekly Update - June 4, 2008

From the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre:

Weekly Update: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre - 4 Jun 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=2008/06/04

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* John Ruggie's presentation of his report to UN Human Rights Council, including video, 3 June
- Full report, companion report on sphere of influence & complicity, 2 addenda
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/RuggieHRC2008

* New responses & commentaries on John Ruggie's report, including:
- Responses by governments
- Statement by social investors
- Leading US lawyers disagree over how business should react (American Lawyer magazine)
- Sir Geoffrey Chandler (in Ethical Corporation)
- Executive Director of Oxfam Australia
- Misereor / Global Policy Forum and reply by John Ruggie
- Amnesty Intl. response to Sir Geoffrey Chandler's comments on joint NGO statement
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/RuggieHRC2008

* Nigeria: Workers allege "inhuman treatment", use of child labour and ban on unionization at Lee Group factory
- Lee Group's response
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/508041

* Ghana: NGOs say mining companies have impeded food production, led to serious human rights abuses by the military
- AngloGold Ashanti response
- Newmont said it will respond; we will include its response in a future Update
- Golden Star has not yet responded; if it does we will include its response in a future Update
- Redback has not responded
- We are in the process of seeking a response from Goldfields
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/512787

* India: Govt. takes steps on Bhopal disaster - a long way still to go
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/445184

* Oxfam Briefing: What business leaders can do to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/566717

* Indonesia: National Commission on Human Rights urges govt. to investigate mud volcano at Lapindo Brantas gas well site, that displaced 36,000
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/849849

* "China's Environmental Footprint in Africa", Peter Bosshard, Intl. Rivers
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/868994

* General Electric aims to cut its water use 20% by 2012
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/674191

* Burma Campaign UK releases new list of companies linked to Burma
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/743733

* Microsoft joins One Laptop Per Child project
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/953231

* Mining: How investment contracts can undermine human rights, exacerbate poverty
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/285765

* "Voices from the Ground: The Human Face of Human Rights and Business", 4 June, Geneva
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/285963

* Voluntary Principles on Security & Human Rights: Debate between Arvind Ganesan of Human Rights Watch & Alexandra Guaqueta of Cerrejon Coal
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/507653

* Article by Klaus Leisinger of Novartis Foundation: "Corporate Philanthropy: The Top of the Pyramid"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/400715

* European Coalition for Corporate Justice presents 3 policy proposals to EU on business & human rights
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/697942

* Mexico: Amicus curiae brief by NGOs supporting plaintiffs in environmental case against La Parota mega dam project
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/990552

* Norwegian life insurance company KLP excludes Group 4 Securicor from investments over labour rights abuses
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/182166

* Español: México: Denuncian amenazas contra defensora de derechos humanos que criticó a empresas constructoras en Monterrey
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/362759

* Español: España: Acciona es premiada por su labor en materia de prevención de riesgos laborales
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/243857

* Español: Perú: Más de 5.000 comunidades indígenas se oponen a decreto sobre inversión privada en sus tierras
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/832573

* Español: Nuevo libro: "Empresas multinacionales y derechos humanos en derecho internacional"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/104105

* Español: Panamá: Compañía AES "apela al diálogo" con indígenas y ecologistas para resolver conflicto hidroeléctrico
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/281918

* Español: México: Comisión acusa al Gobierno de negligencia frente a denuncias de daños a la salud y al ambiente por parte de firma BASF
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/753797

* Français : Gabon : Des ONG font appel au gouvernement pour améliorer les conditions sociales et environnementales du contrat d'exploitation de fer signé avec le consortium chinois CMEC
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/439262

* Français : Campagne appelle l'Union européenne à prendre des mesures pour « responsabiliser » les entreprises qui violent les droits de l'homme
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/905816

* Français : France : Étude demontre que pour la plupart, les entreprises essaient d'améilorer leur impact sur l'environnement
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/593006

* Français : Pérou : Exploitation pétrolière de Perenco est contestée en justice au nom de la protection de « tribus indiennes isolées »
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/128728

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