Business & human rights: weekly update - December 24, 2008

From the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre:

Weekly Update: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre - 24 Dec 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=2008/12/24

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Business & Human Rights Resource Centre wishes you a happy 2009. The Weekly Update will not be published next Wednesday, 31 December, and will resume Wednesday, 7 January.*

"The Real Price of Gold" - National Geographic report on the human & environmental toll of gold mininghttp://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/728143*

Report of consultation on improving non-judicial remedies for corporate human rights impacts - held to inform mandate of UN Special Rep. John Ruggie (Nov 2008)http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/991050*

G4S signs global agreement with Union Network Intl. on labour rightshttp://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/428727*

Brazil: Human rights & environmental activists face death threats because of fight against loggers, farmers & cattle ranchers, says reporthttp://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/174744*

Google, YouTube to promote human rights in North Korea via internet broadcastinghttp://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/461395*

USA Today report finds many US schools are near major industrial plants - raises concerns over effects of gas emissions on children's health- refers to ExxonMobil, and includes company responsehttp://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/961218*

Italy: Médecins Sans Frontières highlights "appalling" living & working conditions of migrant fruit pickershttp://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/145148*

Nepal: Intl. Alert survey assesses role of business in mitigating future conflict & peacebuildinghttp://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/176679*

USA: Human rights groups object to Florida official's statement on frequency of slavery cases among migrant agricultural workers- with full comments by Mary Robinson, Larry Cox (Amnesty USA), letter by 65 NGOs, religious groups, scholars & authorshttp://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/855196*

Women's health initiative by Levi Strauss & Business for Social Responsibility expands to Egypthttp://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/533013*

UK: Landmark rulings strengthen gay rights in workplacehttp://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/752432*

Report of Ecumenical Council for Corp. Responsibility debate on migrant workers in the UK economy: "Rights & responsibilities"http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/469370*

So. Korea: Natl. Human Rights Commission accuses Korean Air of discrimination against men - firm rejects allegationhttp://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/870929*

"Human rights Corporate Accountability Guide: from law to norms to values" (John F. Sherman, III, formerly of National Grid; Chip Pitts of Stanford Law School)http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/142328*

ExxonMobil statement marking 60th Anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rightshttp://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/606073*

So. Africa: Mine fatalities down but union's concerns remain - new safety law passedhttp://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/133042*

UK Govt. issues statement confirming pension funds can take social, ethical and environmental considerations into account when investinghttp://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/503594*

Español: Argentina: Concejo de Quilmes declara emergencia ambiental por contaminación de Repsolhttp://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/153640*

Español: Paraguay: Ministerio de Salud solicita cierre o traslado de fábrica Chemtec debido a riesgos para la salud de pobladoreshttp://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/303053*

Español: México: ONG dice que minería en Chiapas amenaza la supervivencia de pueblos indígenashttp://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/188904*

Español: Argentina: Trabajadores del ajo denuncian trabajo infantil y explotación por parte de cooperativashttp://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/575275*

Español: Chile: Ambientalistas denuncian proyecto de Colbún para construir nueva represa en el Bío Bío por su "impacto ambiental, social y cultural"http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/687652*

Español: México: BID y CEMEX otorgarán 35.000 microcréditos a familias de bajos ingresos para pavimentar calleshttp://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/883576*

Español: Costa Rica: Profesores universitarios piden al gobierno moratoria a la actividad minerahttp://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/871395*

Français : Responsabilité du secteur privé dans le combat contre l'exploitation sexuelle des enfants à des fins commerciales - contribution d'ECPAT au Troisième Congrès Mondial Contre l'Exploitation Sexuelle des Enfants et des Adolescentshttp://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/156403*

Français : Programme de Cisco pour réduire les émissions des gaz à effet de serre des villeshttp://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/246856

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

Business & human rights: Weekly Update - December 17, 2008

From the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre:

Weekly Update: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre - 17 Dec 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=2008/12/17

Español: ver abajo - Français : voir ci-dessous

* Dem. Rep. of Congo: UN expert group highlights links between the natural resources trade & conflict
- Global Witness calls for action
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/472200

* Self-regulation code of conduct for private military and security companies (PMSCs), by Nils Rosemann
- includes chart showing which PMSCs have publicly recognised intl. human rights standards
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/829958

* Shell video: "Shell & Human Rights" - with UN Special Rep. John Ruggie & Margaret Jungk of Danish Institute
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/985651

* Intl. Rivers report "Mountains of Concrete: Dam Building in the Himalayas" highlights environmental damage, human rights abuses
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/157590

* Turkey: "Inhuman" working conditions in shipbuilding industry - 17 workers died this year
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/464034

* How are the largest So. African companies responding to HIV/AIDS?
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/463117

* Business & Community Foundation (India) says 4-5 Dec Intl. Seminar on Business & Human Rights provided platform for companies that have abused human rights
- response by Business Leaders Initiative on Human Rights
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/181261

* Ceres ranks companies' climate strategies
- IBM, Tesco, Dell lead; travel & leisure, restaurant, real estate, retail sectors have low average scores
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/231702

* Angola: Abuses against artisanal diamond miners continue, Kimberley Process "is farce", says Rafael Marques
- Lev Leviev responds
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/227071

* USA: "Specter of slavery persists" in Florida tomato fields
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/897096

* Brazil: Supreme court upholds Amazon indigenous land rights over private farmers in key case
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/915065

* Colombia: Cerrejón announces agreement with displaced Tabaco community - company will pay over US $3.1 million
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/180737

* Global Network Initiative on internet censorship & freedom of expression: Anita Ramasastry comments on scope & limitations
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/649588

* Niger: Hundreds killed, thousands displaced in brewing conflict over uranium mining
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/497265

* Kenya: Companies launch programme for youth HIV prevention in partnership with US Govt.
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/764901

* Corporate Watchdog Radio interviews Annabel Short & Greg Regaignon of Business & Human Rights Resource Centre on 60th anniversary of Universal Declaration
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/327419

* "How to identify forced labour in your supply chains" - workshop, 15 Jan, London
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/159410

* Español: Colombia: Indígenas U'wa piden a JP Morgan no comprar acciones de Ecopetrol por temores de impactos negativos de explotación petrolera
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/256552

* Español: "Gestión empresarial y derechos humanos" a los 60 años de la Declaración Universal
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/180726

* Español: Colombia: Cerrejón anuncia acuerdo con la comunidad de Tabaco, desplazada por la mina - pagará 7.000 millones de pesos
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/344284

* Español: Colombia: 1er. reporte de avances de compromisos sociales de Cerrejón en respuesta al Panel Independiente de Revisión
- incluye tabla de progreso
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/137639

* Español: Guatemala: Audiencia en la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos sobre derechos laborales de trabajadores agrícolas
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/800183

* Español: España: División de FCC firma plan de igualdad que cubre a 35,000 trabajadores e incluye prevención del acoso sexual
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/283715

* Français : Territoires palestiniens occupés : De plus en plus de multinationales retirent leurs investissements des colonies industrielles illégales
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/742267

* Français : Rép. Dém. du Congo : Financement des groupes armés par le commerce des minerais - Global Witness demande aux gouvernements d'agir en s'appuyant sur les conclusions du Groupe d'experts de l'ONU
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/321066

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

Business & human rights: Weekly Update - December 10, 2008

From the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre:
Weekly Update: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre - 10 Dec 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=2008/12/10

Español: ver abajo - Français : voir ci-dessous

On the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights we would like to recall this quote by Eleanor Roosevelt, who was instrumental in drafting the Declaration:

"Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm, or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere."

* Initiatives on the 60th Anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR):

- CEO statement in support of human rights
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/230940

- "Human Rights Translated": Practical guide for business by Castan Centre, IBLF, OHCHR, UN Global Compact
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/148785

- Amnesty Intl. Netherlands launches e-learning tool for business
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/979754

- Statement by Mary Robinson & Sir Mark Moody-Stuart
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/895362

- Arvind Ganesan, Human Rights Watch, calls for mandatory human rights regulations for companies
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/254361

- Intl. Chamber of Commerce hails 60th anniversary of UDHR
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/498662

- Global Reporting Initiative & others call for better corporate reporting on human rights
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/203872

- Over 230 companies worldwide have a human rights policy statement: Joint announcement by Mary Robinson/Realizing Rights, and Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/599606

- Dutch pension fund APG Investments supports appeal for companies to adopt human rights policies
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/249772

* Transcript: John Ruggie speaking at Carnegie Council, New York, 28 Oct
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/864565

* Audio & images: "Human rights and business: South Africa and beyond", London, 2 Dec
- Jody Kollapen, Chair of So. African Human Rights Commission
- regional updates by Resource Centre's researchers
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/2Dec2008event

* Blackwater guards indicted in USA for Sep 2007 Baghdad shootings
- immunity for security contractors to end in Iraq
- summary profile of Blackwater lawsuits
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/214732

* Iraq: KBR's Kuwaiti subcontractor accused of confining migrant workers in windowless warehouses - companies respond
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/346743

* Bahrain: New centre to receive & handle workers' complaints
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/462611

* China: Guangdong factories squeezed as buyers push for improved labour rights but lower prices (Bloomberg)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/308672

* "Wal-Mart: A bully benefactor" (Fortune)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/948732

* Briefing: "Private Sector Accountability in Combating the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/133893

* USA: Wal-Mart worker trampled to death by stampeding sales shoppers
- lawsuit filed against Wal-Mart, mall, private security firm
- Time magazine article: "How to prevent a crowd crush"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/785914

* USA: Subway agrees to pay migrant tomato pickers penny more per pound - signs deal with Coalition of Immokalee Workers
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/804623

* Allegations of child labour, health & safety abuses in surgical instruments produced in Pakistan and purchased by UK hospitals
- UK Natl. Health Service drafts guidelines on ethical purchasing
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/366648

* Indonesia: Lapindo Brantas says settlement reached with mud volcano victims
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/902543

* "Ethical leaders of 2008" (Ethical Corporation) include Barack Obama, Bill Gates, John Ruggie, heads of Confederation of British Industry, UN Principles for Responsible Investment, Global Witness
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/171503

* Job vacancy: Senior Programme Officer, Economy & Peacebuilding, Intl. Alert (London, deadline 19 Dec)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/603343

* Job vacancy: Assessment & Training Manager, UN Principles for Responsible Investment (London)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/279993

* Español: Líderes empresariales expresan su apoyo a los derechos humanos en el 60avo. aniversario de la Declaración Universal
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/420977

* Español: Argentina: Defensor del Pueblo se pronuncia contra terraplén que inunda casas - dice que empresa Hacienda San Eugenio y provincia ignoran sentencia del Tribunal Superior
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/140924

* Español: Costa Rica: Asesor ambiental del presidente recomienda prohibir la minería a cielo abierto
- Sala Constitucional estudia proyecto "Las Crucitas" de Industrias Infinito
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/256696

* Español: Honduras: ONG gana 98 casos de violación de derechos laborales - mayoría sobre guardias de seguridad
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/662477

* Español: Guatemala: Fotoreportaje sobre afectaciones de la mina Marlin (de Goldcorp) sobre la población
- Sitio web de la empresa: "Relaciones comunitarias y desarrollo en Guatemala" (en inglés)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/504449

* Español: Panamá: Gobierno aprueba estudio de impacto ambiental de Petaquilla Gold después de haberla sancionado por daños al ecosistema y desmejoramiento de la calidad de las aguas - ONG critica decisión
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/207814

* Español: Brasil: 6 empresas, incluyendo Petrobras, Aracruz y Copel, excluidas del BOVESPA sostenible
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/836692

* Español: Empleados de Roche marchan a favor de niños desfavorecidos - empresa duplicará la cifra recaudada
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/135787

* Español: Colombia: Después del escándalo de las pirámides, bancos se unen a iniciativa de microcréditos para pobres
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/878698

* Français : Maroc : Citi Maghreb récompense 12 microentrepreneurs luttant contre la pauvreté
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/895223

* Français : Inculpation aux États-Unis de cinq agents de Blackwater impliqués dans la mort de 17 irakiens
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/124915

* Français : Indonésie : Lapindo s'engage à verser une compensation pour les victimes d'un volcan de boue
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/818775

* Français : Madagascar : Des entreprises s'unissent pour lutter contre le VIH/SIDA
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/929999

ARCHIVE of past Weekly Updates / ARCHIVO de actualizaciones pasadas / ARCHIVE des Actualités hebdomadaires précédentes:
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Business & human rights: Weekly Update - December 3, 2008

From the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre:

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=2008/12/03

Español: ver abajo - Français : voir ci-dessous

* World AIDS Day: Steps companies are taking to address the crisis
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/WorldAIDSDay2008

* Indonesia: ILO study finds many companies discriminate against people with AIDS
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/303809

* Caritas calls for pharmaceutical firms to develop affordable AIDS drugs specifically for children
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/396320

* Aspen Institute report on HIV/AIDS teaching in business schools
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/803544

* Keith Slack of Oxfam America says companies should seek community consent, not just social license
- Article mentions Shell in Philippines - community consent efforts may have saved $72 million in avoided project delays
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/652166

* Reminder: Intl. Seminar on Business & Human Rights, Paris, 4-5 December
- Speakers include Irene Khan, Jody Kollapen, Mary Robinson, John Ruggie
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/157529

* Jury clears Chevron in trial in USA over alleged complicity with shootings in Nigeria - plaintiffs say they will appeal
- Analysis by Anthony Sebok, Cardozo Law School
- Summary profile of lawsuit by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/461423

* Ecuador: New proposal to protect rainforest, indigenous people from oil exploitation by selling carbon credits to companies
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/299581

* Health officials from 160 countries adopt guidelines limiting tobacco industry influence on govts.
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/911633

* Unilever divests from factory in Israeli settlement in West Bank
- Dutch NGOs including Oxfam Novib, Pax Christi, welcome move
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/963533

* Ecuador: Court environmental expert raises estimate of Chevron's potential liability by $11 billion
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/560930

* Español: Ecuador: Perito judicial eleva cálculo de daños en demanda ambiental y de salud contra Texaco/Chevron a 27.000 millones de dólares
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/284755

* Español: México: Proponen en el Congreso veda de productos chinos por razones humanitarias
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/338314

* Español: Ecuador: Nueva propuesta busca evitar explotación de petróleo y promover desarrollo social a través de certificados de carbono
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/440997

* Español: MTV Latinoamérica promueve campaña multimedia en observación al Día Mundial del Sida
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/757628

* Français : Chevron acquitté de complicité d'atteinte aux droits de l'homme au Nigeria
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/130669

* Français : Rappel : Séminaire International Entreprises et Droits de l'Homme, 4-5 décembre à Paris
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/572910

* Français : Journée de lutte contre le sida : groupes touristiques Accor, Air France, Club Med se mobilisent au Sénégal
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/233596

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

Mining, Oil Resources, Free Trade, and Human Rights in Colombia

You are invited to a public talk on:

Mining, Oil Resources, Free Trade, and
Human Rights in Colombia

Tuesday, December 2, 2008
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Policy Room 7000
SFU Harbour Centre
515 W. Hastings
Vancouver
OPEN TO ALL