Business & human rights: Weekly Update - February 18, 2009

From the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre:

Weekly Update: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre - 18 February 2009

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=2009/02/18

Español: ver abajo - Français : voir ci-dessous

* GlaxoSmithKline CEO pledges major new initiative to cut prices of medicines for the poor - challenges other firms to follow suit
- reactions by Oxfam, Médecins Sans Frontières, others
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/829887

* Mae Tay (Taiwan) response to "High Tech Misery in China" - report alleging abuses at its computer equipment factory (further to last week's Update)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/NLCFeb2009

* US overseas investment agencies pledge to consider climate impacts of projects they finance, in settlement of lawsuit brought by environmental NGOs
- Friends of the Earth: "Landmark Global Warming Lawsuit Settled"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/155014

* Indonesia: Alleged labour abuses at factory supplying Pierre Cardin underwear
- Pierre Cardin response
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/497233

* China: Profile of Ma Jun, environmental advocate exposing polluting companies
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/144589

* Peru: Journalist pursuing complaint about torture at Rio Blanco mining site receives death threats - Amnesty Intl. issues urgent action (further to our 4 & 11 Feb Updates)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/882517

* Russia: Indigenous Evenks, environmentalists concerned over impacts of proposed RusHydro dam
- RusHydro says it will release report during 2009 on potential impacts
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/398064

* International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) urges EU to implement stronger business & human rights measures
- also: Recommendations to European Multi-stakeholder Forum on CSR by other NGOs, business orgs.
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/323653

* Mexico: NGO report "Mining in Chiapas" on risks for indigenous peoples
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/342956

* Ghana: New implementation manual for Ghana Business Code, based on UN Global Compact principles
- 120 companies have signed the code
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/528246

* USA: Human Rights Campaign finds growing number of companies protecting transgender rights
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/936053

* US court hears appeal of dismissed lawsuits against CACI, L-3 Titan over alleged involvement in Abu Ghraib abuses
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/194490

* AT Kearney study says companies scaling back environmental initiatives due to economic crisis should "think twice"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/895264

* Private Equity Council members adopt responsible investment guidelines - covering environmental, health, safety, labour, governance, social issues
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/511415

* US Campaign for Burma calls on consumers to help find Burmese rubies in jewellery stores
- refers to positive steps by Leber Jeweler, Tiffany, Jewelers of America
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/590937

* Global Reporting Initiative invites comments on sustainability guidelines for mining industry - deadline 29 Apr
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/380800

* Job posting: Human Rights Licensee Administrator, Phillips-Van Heusen - New York
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/921521

* Job posting: Human Rights Associate, Eileen Fisher apparel - Irvington, New York
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/990988

* Español: Perú: Periodista que denunció torturas en campo minero Río Blanco recibe amenazas de muerte (en continuación a las Actualizaciones del 4 & 11 de febrero)
- Amnistía Internacional emite "acción urgente"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/447636

* Español: México: Conferencia sobre "violaciones de derechos laborales" en Walmex (18 feb)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/840651

* Español: GlaxoSmithKline se compromete a poner sus drogas al alcance de los más pobres del mundo - anima a otras empresas a seguir su iniciativa
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/651533

* Español: Colombia: Introducción de nuevo libro sobre empresas militares y de seguridad privadas - "¿una nueva forma de mercenarismo?"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/375811

* Español: México: CFE acepta que no puede construir la presa La Parota pues los pueblos afectados no la han aprobado
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/640347

* Español: Chile: Después de fallo adverso en la Corte Suprema, ecologistas anuncian que recurrirán a Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos contra proyecto de represas en la Patagonia
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/406331

* Español: Perú: Piden sanción para Casapalca por derrumbe que sepultó a 5 mineros
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/839825

* Español: Colombia: Presidente exige que todas las minas cumplan con requisitos de seguridad industrial y social después de muerte de 4 trabajadores
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/483581

* Français : Indonésie : Allégations des violations des droits du travail à une usine qui fabrique des sous-vêtements Pierre Cardin
- Réponse de Pierre Cardin
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/681889

* Français : Dexia, Alstom, Veolia tirent profit de la colonisation de la Cisjordanie par Israël, selon La Tribune
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/505746

* Français : GlaxoSmithKline s'engage à faire les médicaments plus abordables dans les pays pauvres
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/374679

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 - Feburary 12, 2009

From the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre:

Weekly Update: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre - 11 February 2009

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=2009/02/11

Español: ver abajo - Français : voir ci-dessous

* India: Coal India responds to allegations of hazardous mining practices (further to our 28 Jan Update)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/718362

* "High Tech Misery in China": Natl. Labor Committee (US) alleges labour abuses at keyboard factory supplying Dell, HP, IBM, Lenovo, Microsoft
- Responses by Dell, HP, IBM, Lenovo, Microsoft
- We are inviting the factory to respond, and will indicate in a future Weekly Update if it does or not
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/NLCFeb2009

* "Business & Human Rights in South Africa": Working paper by Natl. Business Initiative
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/840958

* Ghana: Public Eye Awards name Newmont "2009 Worst Company" over proposed mining project that critics say would displace thousands, pollute soil & rivers
- Newmont response
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/514424

* Intl. criminal liability for corporations:
- papers by Prof. Andrew Clapham & Prof. Thomas Weigend
- discussion with Ken Roth of Human Rights Watch, James Cockayne of Intl. Peace Institute, others
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/394170

* Lesotho: Apparel industry initiative including Chinese-owned factories, Gap & other brands brings AIDS drugs to factory workers
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/558328

* Letter from Sir Mark Moody Stuart to NGOs regarding UN Global Compact, PetroChina, Sudan
- Commentary by the NGOs - welcome the fact the Global Compact board will discuss the matter "fully"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/415476

* USA: Lawsuit against Boeing unit Jeppesen over "torture flights" - appeal of dismissal by lower court; Obama administration argues case should be dismissed permanently to protect "state secrets"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/598213

* USA: Chevron renews lobbying efforts to end Ecuador's preferential trade status over indigenous lawsuit
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/159605

* Peru: Congress to investigate security firm Forza over alleged beating & torture of protesters (further to our last Update)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/281968

* Russia: Human Rights Watch report says migrant construction workers face serious abuses
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/892723

* "Stabilization Clauses and Human Rights": Summary of consultation by UN Special Representative John Ruggie, Johannesburg, 21 Oct 2008
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/988703

* UK: New legislation to curb abuses by UK companies overseas? Debate between Peter Frankental of Amnesty Intl., Peter Davis of Ethical Corporation
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/478913

* Call for tenders: Ethical investment screening for Norwegian Govt. Pension Fund (deadline 3 Mar)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/608702

* Cambodia: Global Witness says opportunity to alleviate poverty squandered by corruption in oil & mining sectors
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/350304

* New book: "Corporate Accountability in International Environmental Law"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/967126

* USA: Clifford Chance and Georgetown Univ. sponsor fellowships for disadvantaged law students who wish to serve intl. community
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/618111

* OECD Guidelines case against Afrimex re Dem. Rep. of Congo - analysis by Jernej Cernic, Univ. of Aberdeen
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/657671

* Swedish International Development Cooperation report: "Making Climate Your Business - Private Sector Adaptation in Southeast Asia"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/643979

* Indonesia: World Resources Institute & NewPage Corp. join to preserve forests, reducing greenhouse gas emissions & protecting traditional livelihoods
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/780837

* Job postings: CSR positions at A.P. Moller - Maersk Group (deadline 24 Feb)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/853843

* Español: Perú: Congreso investigará a Forza por su supuesto rol en torturas y golpizas de protestantes (en continuación a la Actualización pasada)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/383868

* Español: España: Estudio revela serias discrepancias entre los informes financieros y los de sostenibilidad de las empresas del Ibex 35
- incluye informe de conclusiones completo
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/766111

* Español: Nicaragua: Ex-cañeros acusan a Grupo Pellas de co-responsabilidad en muertes por uso de agrotóxicos - empresa lo niega
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/866688

* Español: Argentina: Inspecciones y multas a empresas que emplean niños dan resultado en Mendoza
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/392562

* Español: Guatemala: Reporte de la Confederación Sindical Internacional dice que hay violenta represión contra trabajadores
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/767815

* Español: Perú: Denuncian supuesto acuerdo por derrame de mercurio de Minera Yanacocha
- respuesta de Yanacocha sobre la situación en Choropampa
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/220733

* Español: España: Cemex firma convenio para evaluar posibles riesgos a la salud y al ambiente de cambio de combustible
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/345313

* Español: España: 107 trabajadoras andaluzas fueron despedidas en 2008 debido a su maternidad
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/584252

* Français : Canada : Parti Québécois demande un moratoire sur l'uranium face aux questions sur les effets sur la santé & l'environnement
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/623572

* Français : Rapport de Global Witness "Le Cambodge à vendre" dénonce la gestion des ressources minières et pétrolières par une élite corrompue
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/644136

* Français : Projet « Green Zone » de Hyundai lutte contre la pauvreté en agissant contre la désertification en Chine
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/984948

* Français : Guatemala : Répression violente contre les travailleurs, selon la Confédération syndicale internationale
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/305859

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