Business & human rights: Weekly Update - October 29, 2008

From the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre:

Weekly Update: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre - 29 Oct 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=2008/10/29

Español: ver abajo - Français : voir ci-dessous

* Statement by UN Special Representative John Ruggie to UN General Assembly on his renewed mandate
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/389450

* Business & Human Rights Resource Centre launches Corporate Legal Accountability Portal
- profiles lawsuits against companies alleging human rights abuses
- portal: http://www.business-humanrights.org/LegalPortal
- press release:
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/559552

* Coalition of human rights NGOs, Internet firms including Google, Microsoft, Yahoo! & others launches principles on govt. censorship & threats to privacy
- also provided: text of principles, implementation guidelines, accountability framework
- Reporters Without Borders says principles do not go far enough to protect freedom of expression
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/174147

* Wal-Mart tells its Chinese suppliers to meet strict environmental & social standards
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/627390

* Botswana: Survival Intl. says De Beers returns to mine Central Kalahari Game Reserve while Bushmen are still displaced
- De Beers' response (23 Oct)
- De Beers announces withdrawal from reserve (29 Oct)
- We are inviting Gem Diamonds to respond & will indicate in a future Update whether it does
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/261767

* US Govt. begins enforcement of new import ban on Burmese gems - Human Rights Watch urges support for ban
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/169850

* Oxfam Australia says Philippines mine bankrolled by ANZ destroys local people's livelihoods
- ANZ response
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/626662

* China: Rejoinder to Ole Wolff from trade union on alleged labour rights abuses (further to our 24 Sep Update)
- New Ole Wolff response
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/OleWolffallegationsresponses

* Global Witness & Partnership Africa Canada identify "loupe holes in the Kimberley Process - gateway for conflict diamonds"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/667641

* UK: NGO says Scottish Register Office (GROS) contract with CACI ignores company's involvement in Abu Ghraib
- GROS defends decision to award census contract to CACI
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/112656

* Signatories of UN Principles for Responsible Investment representing $4.4 trillion in assets urge 9000 CEOs to commit their companies to UN Global Compact
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/469908

* Liberia: ArcelorMittal may struggle to manage local expectations over community development despite huge investment (commentary by Critical Resource)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/608197

* Uzbekistan: Despite boycott by US & European retailers over child labour concerns, cotton sales increase
- Retailers boycott Bangladeshi garments made of Uzbek cotton
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/971618

* Job announcements: 2 Project Managers, Ethical Trading Initiative (London, deadline 17 Nov)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/574438

* Español: México: Campesinos del Istmo de Tehuantepec preparan demanda contra Endesa por "engaños y despojos"; otros protestan contra Iberdrola
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/319810

* Español: Colombia: Horno de gas construido por empresas y gobierno ayudará a erradicar trabajo infantil en Boyacá
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/741527

* Español: Perú: Rio Tinto dice suspende construcción planta por protestas sociales en Chiclayo
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/188496

* Español: Colombia: Protestas sociales por malas condiciones laborales en ingenios de azúcar
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/669985

* Français : Côte d'Ivoire : 7 acquittements, 2 condamnations dans le procès du Probo Koala
- ONGs regrettent « l'absence des principaux responsables - les dirigeants de Trafigura et de sa filiale ivoirienne »
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/397628

* Français : Le Processus de Kimberley laisse une porte ouverte pour les diamants de guerre, selon Global Witness & Partenariat Afrique Canada
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/544631

* Français : Iraq : Nokia et l'UNICEF s'unissent pour reconstruire des écoles
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/323532

* Français : Réponse de Disney en français au rapport de Peuples Solidaires sur les conditions de travail chez les fabricants des produits Disney (suite à notre Actualité Hebdomadaire du 22 octobre)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/291388

ARCHIVE of past Weekly Updates / ARCHIVO de actualizaciones pasadas / ARCHIVE des Actualités hebdomadaires précédentes:
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Aboutus/WeeklyUpdatesarchive