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

Weekly Update: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre - 18 March 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=2009/03/18

Español: ver abajo - Français : voir ci-dessous

* Intl. business orgs. IOE, ICC, BIAC re-confirm commitment to the work of UN Special Representative John Ruggie, offer assistance
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/447356

* Mutual fund manager Vanguard announces policy to avoid investments in companies involved in serious human rights abuses
- Investors Against Genocide welcomes move
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/166120

* Philippines: Reports allege Sagittarius Mines Inc (SMI) / Xstrata connected with killing of human rights activist Eliezer "Boy" Billanes
- SMI/Xstrata response
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/648018

* Clean Clothes Campaign report "Cashing in" says discount model leads to labour abuses at factories in Asia supplying Aldi, Carrefour, Lidl, Tesco, Wal-Mart
- responses by all five companies
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/CashingIn

* Guatemala: Natl. Labor Committee (US) alleges women workers' rights abused at Nicotex factory, supplying Lane Bryant (part of Charming Shoppes), Briggs New York (part of Kellwood)
- responses by Nicotex, Charming Shoppes, Kellwood
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/404910

* India: Petition says Himagiri Hydro Energy's Panan hydro-electric project will harm environment & Lepcha community's culture - calls for release of arrested activists
- response by Himagiri
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/239024

* UK: More than 40 construction firms allegedly bought personal data on workers to blacklist job applicants, including details of trade union activities
- Balfour Beatty response
- Costain, Sir Robert McAlpine did not respond
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/885550

* Czech Republic: Unicredit Bank launches program to encourage gender equality in the workplace
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/767885

* China: Thousands of gem cutters suffering from lung disease
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/172384

* World Water Day 2009 & related events: News & reports highlighting private sector dimension
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/Water2009

* USA: NAACP files lawsuits against HSBC, Wells Fargo alleging racism in mortgage lending
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/811562

* Norway's Govt. Pension Fund divests from Dongfeng Motor, due to sale of military trucks to Burma
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/733385

* USA: DiversityInc's "Top 50 Companies for Diversity" 2009
- Johnson & Johnson, AT&T, Ernst & Young, Marriott lead
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/668407

* Guatemala: BBC report on Goldcorp mine - human rights impact assessments underway
- concerns include pollution reportedly causing skin infections among local Mayans
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/973758

* Kazakhstan: First case of workplace religious discrimination is ruled in favour of worker
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/835042

* "Pharma Futures 3" looks at links between business models & health in Brazil, China, India, other countries
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/451599

* "Deadly ventures? Multinational corporations and paramilitaries in Colombia"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/318865

* Ukraine: UN Global Compact contest for journalism on business' social responsibility (deadline 30 Apr)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/590116

* Legal Accountability Portal: Update to profile of lawsuit against BP (re Colombia) -- new claims filed in UK on behalf of farmers allegedly affected by environmental damage
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/489842

* UK: Conference on company taxation, poverty & development, Univ. of East Anglia, 29 May
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/121117

* Upcoming event: Online conference on business contribution to peace building, 23 Mar - 22 May
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/426117

* Español: Guatemala: Reportaje sobre beneficios e impactos negativos de la mina Marlin de Montana Exploradora (Goldcorp)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/465682

* Español: Perú: Empresa de seguridad privada Business Track (BTR) espiaba a ONGs, ambientalistas y otros según la policía
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/544019

* Español: Colombia: Desplazados por la violencia vuelven a sus tierras en Chocó y encuentran empresas de palma en el lugar donde estaba su pueblo
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/256300

* Español: Nicaragua: Supuestos agentes de Dole Fruit acusados de chantajear a campesinos para obstaculizar demanda sobre afectación a la salud de bananeros
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/670894

* Español: España: Iberdrola firma plan con sindicatos que "garantizará la igualdad de trato" entre hombres y mujeres
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/835511

* Español: España: Sitio web de Expansión dedicado exclusivamente a noticias sobre empresas y mujeres
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/531382

* Español: Brasil: Arrestan a 4 activistas bolivianos en protesta contra represas del río Madera
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/594613

* Español: Ecuador: Gobierno anula permiso de Acción Ecológica - ONG dice que es por su rechazo a la Ley de Minería
- Ministra dice que el gobierno le "devolverá el permiso"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/807659

* Français : Algérie : La silicose de plus en plus répandue, surtout parmi les tailleurs de pierre
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/880972

* Français : Malaysie : ACCOR réclame qu'Interhill respecte des standards sociaux dans la construction d'un hôtel, à la suite d'une campagne de Bruno Manser Fonds
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/440786

* Français : Global Witness pousse les grandes banques à ne pas conclure des affaires avec les dictateurs & les gouvernements corrompus
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/512200

* Français : Coca-Cola investit 30 millions de dollars pour garantir l'accès à l'eau aux communautés africaines
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/807322

* Français : Le fonds norvégien exclu Dongfeng Motor pour avoir vendu du matériel militaire à la Birmanie
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/450299

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