Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Business & human rights: Weekly update -- May 20, 2009

Weekly Update: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre - 20 May 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=2009/05/20

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* UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues opens with over 2000 participants - considers private sector impacts
- statement by UN Special Representative John Ruggie
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/110284

* Oxford Analytica briefing on John Ruggie's latest report - says it "underlines the urgency" of business & human rights during financial crisis
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/972086

* Al Jazeera English launches 5-part "Corporations on Trial" series, featuring human rights lawsuits against Alstom, Chiquita, ExxonMobil, Green Park Intl & Green Mount Intl, Lapindo Brantas, Trafigura, Veolia
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/939350

* Trafigura sues BBC Newsnight for libel over allegations the firm dumped toxic waste in Côte d'Ivoire
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/932136

* Honduras: NGOs raise concerns of "serious pollution" at Goldcorp's San Martin mine, affecting health of local communities
- Goldcorp response
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/818843

* India: IT companies adopt policy to increase HIV/AIDS awareness among employees, combat discrimination
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/804822

* US Senate report says abusive CIA interrogations were developed by private security firm Mitchell Jessen & Associates
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/880214

* UK & Ireland: Migrant workers vulnerable to exploitation, says Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility
- compares policies & practices of Associated British Foods, Kerry Group, Morrisons, Northern Foods, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Unilever
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/458806

* United Arab Emirates: Human Rights Watch says migrant workers building island development face "severe exploitation"
- institutions planning to open branches on the island (Guggenheim, NYU, Louvre) urged to seek contractual guarantees
- Abu Dhabi govt. rejects the report's findings
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/228552

* New intl. agreement on ship recycling endorsed by over 60 govts. - environmental, labour groups cite gaps
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/532651

* Japan: Online stores stop sales of Illusion Software's rape game following Equality Now campaign (further to last week's Update)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/608513

* UK Parliament Joint Committee inquiry on business & human rights
- new submissions by Corner House, James Cockayne, Prof. Cees van Dam, Vigeo
- responses by Muriel Mining & Rio Tinto re Colombia Solidarity Campaign's submission on the Mandé Norte/Murindó mining project
- previous submissions also available
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/UKJointCommittee

* UK Parliament Joint Committee to hear oral evidence from John Ruggie, 3 Jun - open to public
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/631200

* Interview with Christine Bader, advisor to John Ruggie
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/955195

* India: Survey of social, environmental activities & reporting by India's 1000 largest companies finds much room for improvement
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/477044

* China: Guangdong Environmental Partnership includes environmental health & safety academy and energy efficiency projects - corporate sponsors include GE, Citigroup, Honeywell, adidas
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/799622

* Financial Times article on diversity on corporate boards - proposes voluntary quota of at least 30% female board members
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/881720

* India: Supreme Court says Vedanta can start mining on land considered sacred by Dongria Kondh tribe
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/219197

* Crew members of Xe/Blackwater's anti-piracy ship allege verbal & physical harrassment, racial discrimination
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/615464

* Liberia: UN hosts workshop on business & human rights
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/803633

* Arab region: "Responsible Competitiveness" report finds progress on rewarding firms that address social, environmental concerns
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/493074

* Economist: Economic downturn providing "stress test" for corporate responsibility - companies are maintaining key initiatives
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/646036

* Verité, CREA: 2nd public comment period on draft standards for social auditors - deadline 30 Jun
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/277247

* Briefing by 6 NGOs for European Parliament Public Hearing on business & human rights
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/409429

* So. Africa: HP launches programme promoting environmental practices in IT industry
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/755774

* Job vacancy: Programmes Coordinator, Institute for Human Rights and Business (London, deadline 5 Jun)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/790572

* Internship vacancy at Avocats Sans Frontières "Globalisation of Justice Programme" (Brussels)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/436742

* Español: España: Estudio sobre el sector de la construcción naval dice que más de 30.000 trabajadores morirán a causa del amianto
- Fallece otro trabajador de una subcontrata de Babcock Wilcox por exposición al amianto
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/388567

* Español: Chile: Presentan libro sobre la presunta responsabilidad del diario El Mercurio en las violaciones a los derechos humanos durante la dictadura
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/663099

* Español: Peru: Indígenas amazónicos acusan a la Armada de realizar un desbloqueo violento para favorecer a Perenco
- FIDH llama a la derogación de los decretos legislativos adoptados en contradicción del Convenio n°169 de la OIT
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/408739

* Español: Argentina: Científico que gatilló investigación sobre efectos en la salud del herbicida glifosato - comercialmente conocido como Roundup, de Monsanto - dice haber recibido amenazas
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/413186

* Español: Costa Rica: Pedirán a CIDH protección para ecologista amenazado por denunciar contaminación de empresas de piña
- Tribunal Ambiental ordena el cierre de finca de Del Monte por contaminación
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/248594

* Español: España: Socios de empresa Robles y Santiago procesados por ocultar accidente laboral admiten cometer fallos pero niegan los delitos
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/509243

* Español: Argentina: Organizaciones de derechos humanos presentan querella por trabajo infantil en campos de ajo
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/452082

* Español: España: El Corte Inglés promoverá la sensibilización contra la violencia de género y facilitará el acceso al trabajo para víctimas
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/164737

* Español: Campaña chilena Patagonia Sin Represas insta a bancos españoles Santander y BBVA a "no transgredir los principios éticos" al financiar HidroAysén
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/712161

* Français : États-Unis: Shell comparaît devant tribunal accusé d'avoir une responsabilité indirecte dans les exécutions de Ken Saro-Wiwa et huit autres
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/974712

* Français : L'ONU appelle les industries minière et pétrolière à respecter les droits des populations autochtones
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/718898

* Français : Briefing de 6 ONG pour l'audience publique du Parlement européen sur les entreprises et les droits de l'homme
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/629608

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http://www.business-humanrights.org/Aboutus/WeeklyUpdatesarchive

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