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