http://www.business-humanrights.org Tracking the positive and negative impact of over 4000 companies worldwide. en-gb Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:07:12 +0100 Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:07:12 +0100 http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/rss/rss.html Webfactory avery@business-humanrights.org avery@business-humanrights.org http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/120490 Al menos 1,350 hectareas de aguas costeras en el municipio cubano de Moa, en la provincia oriental de Holguin, registran altos niveles de contaminacion debido a las actividades de la industria del niquel en la zona y a la eliminacion de desechos toxicos y residuales que son indiscriminadamente vertidos en los rios, denuncio un experto...las areas de extraccion...estan a cargo de Moa Nickel S.A., una empresa mixta...entre el gobierno cubano y la compania canadiense Sherritt International Inc..."Hay un lado oscuro de Sherritt en Cuba'', dijo Cepero...El informe concluyo que las actividades de la empresa minera han contaminado una extension hasta de 6 millas del rio Cabanas con residuales quimicos y desechos sulfurosos...El geografo dijo...[que la] politica...dejo a un lado las preocupaciones por el entorno y la salud de habitantes de Moa...Los representantes de Sherritt no respondieron varias llamadas... Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:22:31 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/120490 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/532884 Over 100 Asian workerssaid they have not been paid their salaries for several months by their employer, Al-Omrania & Al-Wagaiya Catering and Maintenance Company. Some also allege they have been held hostage against their will. The workers, who are now on the verge of starvation, have been living in cramped accommodation without electricity and water for several days, said Kunju Mohammed, one of the workers. Some of the workers added that their company has been withholding their passports and IqamasArab News tried to contact Ali Abdulaziz Al-Omrani, a top official at the company, but he did not pick up the phone. Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:20:40 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/532884 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/123283 [T]he main Olympic sponsors and suppliers allprofess great interest in corporate social responsibility and human rights. But without exception, they are all putting their considerable public relations and lobbying muscle towards ducking any social responsibility for sponsoring the Games in [China][T]he TOP sponsors are Atos Origin, Coca-Cola, General Electric, Johnson & Johnson, Kodak, Lenovo, McDonald's, Omega (Swatch Group), Panasonic (Matsushita), Samsung, and VisaOlympic sponsors have not only an opportunity but a duty to speak out about human rights abuses in ChinaEven if these companies care more about their own interests, rather than principles, they still have plenty of reasons to seize this opportunity to make China a more attractive place to do business. Fri, 08 Aug 2008 15:08:54 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/123283 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/535879 The Indian Supreme Court has allowed the British company Vedanta Resources to go ahead with a controversial bauxite mining project in Orissa state. But, the court said, the company will have to pay for the development of the region out of its profits...The region is considered sacred by tribes who live in the area and is protected by the constitution...Environmental and tribal activists have opposed Vedanta's plans saying the mines will force people from their homes and destroy their livelihoods. The tribes have said they would "fight to the death rather than leave their sacred home" in the Niyamgiri mountains. Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:20:29 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/535879 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/363566 Monsanto, a global agricultural products company, has successfully implemented anti-child labour programmes in Gujarat, said a top company official...According to him, with awareness campaigns and incentive/disincentive programme, Monsanto is educating farmers to produce hybrid cotton seed with only adult labour. Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:15:40 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/363566 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/716040 In January of 2008, Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth, 24, was electrocuted while showering in his Baghdad barracks. His death prompted last week's congressional report concluding that defense contractor KBRwas well aware that the electrical system in Maseth's complex was faulty. An accident like this, the report found, was bound to happen. But this report also now raises a larger and thornier question about military defense contractors: can they be held legally liable for their actions or inactions? Will anyone be held responsible for Maseth's death? Thu, 07 Aug 2008 17:07:15 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/716040 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/491894 A settlement was reached in a case...that pitted Hess employees against the corporation in a language discrimination case. Workers from a Hess gas station...complained to the state attorney general they were instructed by senior level management to only speak English while working. Those who didn't comply, they claimed, faced disciplinary action or loss of their jobs...Jose Hernandez, who managed that West Ridge Road Hess station...[said] he and his co-workers were told they couldn't speak Spanish at work to each other or to customers. "They're asking us not to speak our language, that's a part of who we are," Hernandez told WHAM last October...In total, seven workers...will split $94,000 in restitution. Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:52:28 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/491894 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/897231 Chevron is being accused of promoting geopolitical blackmail in its efforts to stave off a lawsuit accusing it of contaminating the Ecuadorian rain forest. Nearly 30,000 Amazon residents are seeking $12 billion from Chevron for dumping billions of gallons of toxic oil waste. According to Newsweek, the oil giant is urging the Bush administration to yank special trade preferences for Ecuador if the country's government doesn't force the Amazon residents to drop the case. [also refers to Texaco (now part of Chevron)] Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:08:38 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/897231 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/780759 More than a hundred AIDS activists participated in a mock funeral procession Wednesday to protest against pharmaceutical company Abbott Laboratories' spiralling costs of the antiretroviral drug KaletraActivists said the drug costs 500 dollars in Mexico, but is priced at 50 dollars in some other countries. They accused Abbott of being the only pharmaceutical company that refused to negotiate with the Mexican government and NGOs to lower the prices of AIDS drugs Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:47:09 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/780759 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/653240 MTV Networks International [part of Viacom] and MySpace have announced the launch of Untold Stories, an interactive story-writing competition. The initiative brings a number of potentially risky HIV-related scenarios to life, in the form of creative narrative and has already attracted voluntary participation from well known actors, authors and journalists. The unusual approach aims to capture the attention of today's youthThe initiatives are part of MTVNI's Staying Alive Campaign, launched in 1998 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:19:17 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/653240 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/576777 Cuu Huynh, 58, died after being trapped in a sensor-controlled door of a machine he was operatingFoster's Australia Limited pleaded guiltyto failing to provide a safe workplace, andadequate training and supervision. It was fined $1.125 million...the largest fine imposed for a single offence. "The reason this fine is so high is that sadly the company was warned about this matter the problem had been identified and the problem wasn't fixed,'' [WorkSafe executive director of health and safety] Mr Merritt said Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:09:27 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/576777 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/393786 Workers on the world's largest rubber plantation owned by Firestone in Liberia will sign a new collective bargaining agreement todayIn Firestone's 82 year history in Liberia, this is the first time that workers have been represented by [the Firestone Agricultural Workers Union of Liberia (FAWUL),] an independent and democratically elected union leadership during contract negotiations. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 21:09:14 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/393786 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/389016 the United Nations and the Mexican hotel industry have joined forces to launch a campaign focusing on prevention, awareness-raising and improved workplace policies for those living with [HIV/AIDS]...The five national hotel chains participating in the initiative are Grupo Posadas, Hoteles Mision, Grupo Empresarial ngeles, Grupo Del ngel and Grupo Hoteles Emporiotheeight international hotel chainsare Best Western International, InterContinental Hotels Group, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Sol Melia Hotels & Resorts, Radisson Hotels & Resorts [part of Carlson], Ramada International [part of Wyndam], Group ACCOR and Four Seasons Hotels. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 19:16:09 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/389016 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/317873 The Report seeks to show where problems and inconsistencies remain[in] international investment law This report is divided into three parts. The first, Sources and Institutional Factors, considersconceptual issues that the development of this field of international law entails [and includes a sections on Bilateral Investment Treaties] The second part, Substantive Standards, covers issues arising out of the core substantive provisions of international investment agreementsas well as certain newissue areas that may inform the future development and interpretation of such agreements [includes section on Corporate Social Responsibility] . The third part, Dispute Settlement and Enforcement, coversprocedural issues arising in relation to the conduct of investor-state arbitration Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:35:18 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/317873 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/800141 Microsoft, Google Yahoo et d'autres acteurs du Web ont signe un accord avec des associations de defense des droits de l'homme...Dans des courriers adresses aux senateurs americains Richard Durbin (democrate) et Tom Coburn (republicain), les signataires ont precise que les details de ce code de conduite, qui porte sur les principes de libre expression et de protection de la confidentialite des donnees privees, etaient en train d'etre definis. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:33:58 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/800141 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/259539 In seeking to realize the application of the Constitution to companies, it is important that concrete steps be taken to ensure that the company form is not used to shield corporations from their responsibilities to realize human rights...[T]he structures established by the Companies Act must conform with constitutional constraints. This means that the notion of creating a structure which can pursue profits at the expense of human rights is no longer legally meaningful...We recommend four main reforms to the Companies Bill...In particular, the Companies Bill should...first specify that corporations are required to place in their memorandum of association that they recognise that they are bound by the rights in the Bill of Rights and are responsible for their realisation to the extent that they bear responsibility for them. This would make the protection and realisation of fundamental rights one of the prime constraints on the activities of the company. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:19:27 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/259539 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/541890 The South African Institute for Advanced Constitutional, Public, Human Rights and International Law (SAIFAC) hereby calls for academic papers for and participation in a conference titled: Business and Fundamental Rights in South Africa: The State Duty to Protect and Domestic Legal Reform...The Conference will seek to address the pressing question concerning the law reform measures that should be adopted in South Africa to impose and enforce binding obligations upon corporations for the protection of fundamental rights...If you are interested in presenting, please send an abstract to Dr David Bilchitz at davidb@saifac.org.za Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:18:26 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/541890 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/156589 Following a report this week that Chevron is using its influence with the Bush Administration and Congress to pressure Ecuador to dismiss a case accusing the oil giant of toxic pollution in the Amazon, critics are calling on Chevron to cease interfering in the foreign affairs of the U.S. government and allow the case to proceed through the Ecuadorian justice system...A Chevron lobbyist summed up the company's approach regarding the Ecuador case, telling Newsweek magazine, We can't let little countries screw around with big companies . . . Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:13:21 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/156589 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/133179 We are delighted to announce that registration is now open for the International Seminar on Business and Human Rights which will take place on 4 & 5 December 2008 in Paris, France to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This will be a key international opportunity to review global progress on this issue over recent years and chart the developments ahead. The event will bring together business, political, civil society and trade union leaders as well as diverse learning from around the world...Registration is this year done online though the Seminar website www.anniversaryseminar.org Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:43:37 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/133179 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/309790 China Industrial Bank Co has been recognised for its record on 'green' banking, with an award judged by eight Chinese NGOs. The...bank was praised by the judges of the Green Banking Innovation Award for integrating social responsibility and sustainable development into its strategy. The NGOs also noted that the bank has recently announced it will adopt the Equator Principles...It has introduced environmental criteria for business loans, and withdraws money if it discovers companies flout these conditions, the NGOs said. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:41:56 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/309790 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/629134 Des ONG nigeriennes ont denonce"le flou" entretenu par les autorites autour d'un contrat petrolier signe en juin avec une societe chinoise [China national oil and gas development and exploration corporation, CNODC (partie de CNPC)] et "exigent" que les clauses en soient rendu publiquesCes ONG, membres du Reseau des organisations pour la transparence et l'analyse budgetaire (Rotab), ont exige une enquete parlementaire sur le contrat et des clarifications sur "l'utilisation" des 300 millions de dollars verses par la CNODC"Depuis quatre ans, la Chine mene des actions d'exploration petroliere au Niger, dans une totale opacite", affirme[une] Ong [fait aussi reference a Areva] Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:30:11 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/629134 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/715999 In July 2008 National Labor Committee issued its report "Nightmare on Sesame Street", alleging abuses including child labour, excessive working hours & poor housing conditions at Hoida (Kai Da) factory in Shenzhen, China. The factory produces Sesame Street 'Ernie' toys for K'NEX. Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited Hoida, K'NEX and Hasbro (reported as also sourcing from the factory) to respond. [Page provides links to the full report & the company responses] Wed, 06 Aug 2008 15:24:24 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/715999 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/526751 Empresarios se comprometieron a luchar contra la discriminacion y a acabar con la estigmatizacion que se vive en centros laborales hacia las personas que viven con VIH-Sida. El Consejo Nacional Empresarial sobre Sida (Conaes)...ratificaron su lucha contra el sida, a traves de la imparticion de cursos de educacion sexual en los lugares de trabajo, ademas de la eliminacion de pruebas de deteccion de VIH-Sida para la contratacion de personal. El Conaes trabaja con empresas como Fed Ex, Ford, Xerox, Pfizer y Stendhal, 3M, American Express, Colgate Palmolive, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Pepsico y Unilever, entre otras. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:52:08 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/526751 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/245263 ...This study shows that mobile phone batteries from Nokia, LG, Motorola and Samsung all contain cobalt from DR Congo. This is also likely to be the case with mobile phone batteries from Sony Ericsson [joint venture Sony, Ericsson]. By using cobalt from DR Congo, mobile phone companies are running the risk of supporting illegal export and unfair mining practices, which often involves severe human rights abuses...[T]his study has proven it possible to identify the supply chain linkages from mobile phone companies to cobalt extraction in DR Congo... Despite awareness of the risks in the mining industry, none of the mobile companies have implemented and disclosed a systematic policy on the use of metals. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:11:08 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/245263 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/942767 Amnesty International welcomes the emphasis given in the report to the state duty to protect human rights... Amnesty International recommends that the following issues be given attention... Addressing barriers to accountability... Extraterritorial dimensions... Conflict zones... Amnesty International welcomes the SRSG's confirmation of the corporate responsibility to respect all human rights... Amnesty International would welcome the development of guidance and benchmarks in relation to critical elements of human rights due diligence, such as Human Rights Impact Assessments... Amnesty International concurs with the SRSG on the importance of access to remedies. Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:07:12 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/942767