Business & human rights: Weekly Update - August 27, 2008

From the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre:
Weekly Update: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre - 27 Aug 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=2008/08/27

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* Which companies have made a public commitment to human rights? Mary Robinson launches initiative marking 60th Anniversary of Universal Declaration
- Bill Baue on joint project of Realizing Rights and Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/643620

* USA: American Rights at Work highlights 10 employers with good worker relations
- Companies featured: Alabama Power, Delta Construction, DMAX, Gamesa, Justice Clothing, Team Industries, Zahner
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/500614

* UK firms operating in Zimbabwe (including Barclays, BP, Shell) allegedly resisted voluntary ethical code proposed by UK Govt. aimed at avoiding complicity in abuses
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/876426

* Arab Insurance Group (Arig) ceases insuring companies in Burma, following NGO report (further to our 20 Aug Update)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/Burmainsurance

* Lawsuit filed in USA against KBR and subcontractor Daoud over alleged human trafficking to Iraq
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/362441

* Zambia: Govt. review of mining agreements aims to generate more revenue for health, education
- Some companies consider legal action to prevent changes to their existing license agreements
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/715895

* Swaziland: ILO praises HIV/AIDS initiatives by firms including Dalcrue, Superspar
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/779360

* Guatemala: BBC report on tension between Goldcorp and Mayan community over mine's impacts
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/449498

* Canada: Supreme Court Justice Binnie urges law to allow companies to be sued for complicity in abuses abroad
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/774160

* China Labor Watch rejoinder to Puma, regarding working conditions at Surpassing shoe factory (further to our 9 July Update)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/192858

* Lawsuit in USA against ExxonMobil over alleged complicity in abuses in Aceh, Indonesia, to proceed
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/980522

* Firestone rubber plantation in Liberia:
- Rejoinder by Save my Future Foundation & reply by Firestone (further to our 30 July Update)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/457241

* Mexico: Minefinders says after farmers' protests over social & environmental impacts, it may not have enough cash to operate mine (further to our 9 Jul, 30 Jul, 13 Aug, 20 Aug Updates)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/546037

* International Council on Mining & Metals recommends an "integrated and community-based approach" to tackle HIV/AIDS, TB & Malaria
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/140399

* Job announcement: Director India - SustainAbility (deadline 14 Sep)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/221298

* Español: Perú: Indígenas suspenden protestas luego que Congreso derogara temporalmente nueva ley que facilita concesiones a empresas
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/209521

* Español: México: Viudas de mineros muertos hace más de 2 años en Pasta de Conchos siguen luchando para sacar los cadáveres
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/390464

* Español: Guatemala y Perú implementan programas para reducir la brecha digital con el apoyo de Intel
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/572874

* Español: Bolivia: Gerente de constructora Cidenbol es detenido por "tráfico de personas" (que su empresa envió a Rusia) y someterlos a condiciones deplorables - Gerente se defiende
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/590511

* Español: Colombia: Transnacionales, una de las causas de la crisis humanitaria de los pueblos indígenas, según la ONU
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/916928

* Español: Perú: Ministerio de Trabajo exhorta a empresas a "tomar decisiones más prudentes ante demandas sindicales"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/193256

* Español: Colombia: Baleària impulsa el desarrollo de empresas que beneficien la sociedad y el medio ambiente
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/123478

* Français : Sherpa entame une action judiciaire contre Trafigura en France pour le déversement prétendu de déchets en Côte d'Ivoire
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/294638

* Français : Borealis & Uponor lancent une initiative pour mesurer pour la première fois l'empreinte en eau de la production du plastique
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/372389

* Français : Cameroun : Les ONG s'inquiètent des impacts de l'activité minière sur l'environnement & les communautés locales
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/687329

* Français : Inde : Reporters sans frontières demande à Google de faire appel de la décision juridique qui la forcerait à divulguer l'identité d'un blogueur critique de l'entreprise Gremach
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/237360

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