Weekly Update: Business & Human Rights Resource Centre - 23 Jun 2010
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Lead Story
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* NGOs report on alleged complicity by oil companies in human rights abuses during Sudan's civil war, 1997-2003
- Author: European Coalition on Oil in Sudan (ECOS); Reuters
- responses by Lundin, OMV, Petronas
- we were unable to reach anyone at Sudapet who could provide a response, and will continue to seek a response
- Swedish public prosecutor opens preliminary criminal investigation into allegations
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/Sudanoil
International
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* John Ruggie presentation to OECD: "Engaging Export Credit Agencies in Respecting Human Rights"
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001398
* "Extraterritorial Jurisdiction: Lessons for the Business and Human Rights Sphere from Six Regulatory Areas"
- Author: Jennifer Zerk, Harvard Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative, to help inform mandate of Special Representative Ruggie
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001321
* UN Global Compact Leaders Summit (New York, 24-25 Jun)
- Summit's webpage: http://www.leaderssummit2010.org
- Mary Robinson op-ed on company human rights policies
- Institute for Human Rights and Business releases two reports on impact of Global Compact, and on due diligence
- Danish Institute for Human Rights launches tool for companies to measure their performance on UN Global Compact principles
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001377
* Comments on Swiss Govt.'s draft Global Code of Conduct for private military & security companies
- Author: Various stakeholders including govts., civil society, security & other companies, academics
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001372
* International Trade Union Confederation 2010 annual survey highlights rights abuses suffered by trade unionists around the world
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001351
* Global unions adopt principles to protect workers' rights from abuse by temporary employment agencies
- Author: ICEM News
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001327
* Briefing on integrating human rights into World Bank's agenda, including IFC's policies on private sector projects
- Author: Bretton Woods Project
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001328
* Index of pharmaceutical companies on efforts to promote access to medicines in developing countries - GlaxoSmithKline leads, Ranbaxy tops separate generics list
- Author: Access to Medicines Index
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001339
* Companies should prepare for far more scrutiny, litigation on labour rights
- Author: Freshfields law firm
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001302
* Call for comment on "Human Rights, Gender & Community" revisions of Global Reporting Initiative guidelines - open until 23 Aug
- Author: Global Reporting Initiative
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001336
Africa
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* Angola: Military abuses against artisanal diamond miners documented - Kimberley Process does not address the issue
- Author: Wall Street Journal
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001337
* Nigeria: Oil spills in Niger Delta have been ongoing for last 50 years, with little media coverage
- Author: New York Times
- ExxonMobil, Shell respond
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001310
* Ghana: NGOs concerned over oil spillages from initial drilling, even before commercial production begins - warn over threats to livelihoods
- Author: Ghana News Agency, Accra Mail
- IMF says oil could make Ghana middle-income country in a decade; NGOs say revenue controls are being put in place too slowly
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001333
* So. Africa: Report on access to justice for victims of corporate human rights abuses
- Author: Intl. Commission of Jurists
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001386
* Zambia: 22 miners injured at Chinese-owned Collum Coal Mine (CCM), following earlier safety concerns
- Author: Zambia News & Information Services
- article includes company comment
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001362
* Protest in USA against Intel over alleged opposition to law on conflict minerals from Dem. Rep. of Congo - Intel responds
- Author: National Public Radio (USA)
- Amnesty USA calls for pressure on US Congress to include conflict minerals law in pending legislation
- San Francisco Chronicle says technology firms should seek transparency of minerals in supply chain to avoid fueling conflict in Congo
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001335
* So. Africa: Further to last week's Update, Hyatt responds to call for intl. hotel chains to report on their actions to prevent human trafficking at the World Cup
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/Hotels
Americas
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* Update on BP oil spill
- Author: Bloomberg; BP; Reuters; Advocates for Environmental Human Rights
- Reports on impact on health of clean-up workers & BP response
- Advocates for Environmental Human Rights says BP seeks to minimise pay-outs on Gulf oil spill claims - concern this may violate rights of those harmed
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001379
* US cities file lawsuit seeking to make Syngenta pay for removal of toxic weed killer from drinking water
- Author: Huffington Post Investigative Fund; Reuters
- study says chemical may be linked to birth defects; Syngenta responds
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001308
* Guatemala: Further to our previous Updates - Govt. says no evidence to substantiate alleged pollution, human rights abuses at Goldcorp's Marlin mine
- Author: Bloomberg
- Nobel prizewinner, Catholic Church call on President to close mine over environmental, health impacts
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001314
* Colombia: Rescue efforts continue at San Fernando coal mine, 70 feared dead - authorities say mine lacked adequate gas ventilation
- Author: AFP
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001387
* Haiti: Accenture, Alcatel-Lucent, Dow, FedEx, Pfizer, Timberland join US business groups to seek to understand how they can help Govt. & NGOs' redeveloment priorities
- Author: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001403
Asia & Pacific
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* China: CSR Asia highlights problem of workplace sexual harassment, recommends anti-harassment policies and procedures
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001394
* CSR Asia welcomes report by Verité on human trafficking, bonded labour in global supply chains
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001399
* Retailer Migros lodges complaint against Malaysian palm oil group IOI following concerns over firm's impact on native land rights
- Author: Bruno Manser Fund; BBC
- includes earlier response by IOI to allegations re impact on land rights
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001325
* China: Dozens die in explosion at Xingdong No 2 coal mine near Pingdingshan, Henan
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001343
Europe & Central Asia
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* Poland: Report on access to legal remedies & justice in the context of human rights and corporations
- Author: Intl. Commission of Jurists
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001378
* Russia: President Medvedev calls for increasing responsibility of companies accused of environmental pollution
- Author: RIA Novosti
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001306
* Kazakhstan: Explosion at Kazakhmys mine kills 3 miners, injures 1
- Author: Bloomberg
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001341
* Report finds many European electricity companies do not report on social & environmental impacts according to global standards, do not endorse relevant international CSR standards
- Author: SOMO (Netherlands)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001271
* Czech Rep.: Miner killed in fall at ČSM mine - second fatality this year
- Author: Radio Praha
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001364
Middle East & N. Africa
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* Saudi Arabia: Human Rights Watch urges govt. to investigate withholding of payments, passports at Jadawel International compounds
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001082
Jobs
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* Director, Ethical Trading Initiative (based in London, deadline 28 Jun)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001312
* Investment Engagement Officer, UN Principles for Responsible Investment (based in London, deadline 30 Jun)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001313
* Vacancies at Human Rights & Business Dept., Danish Institute of Human Rights: Analyst position, 3 internships (based in Copenhagen)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001360
* Manager of Membership Services; IT & Communications Coordinator, CSR Europe (based in Brussels, closing date: 15 Jul)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001330
* Fair Labor Compliance Manger, REI (based in Washington state, USA)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001329
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Recent company responses and non-responses
Responded to allegations:
- Lundin, OMV, Petronas re Sudan civil war report
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/Sudanoil
- Best Western, Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt, Intercontinental Hotels, NH Hotels, Starwood Hotels re actions to prevent human trafficking
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/Hotels
Have not sent us a response:
- Ivanhoe Mines re Mongolia mine
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1000570
All responses & non-responses from past Updates:
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Documents/Update-Charts
Español
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* Colombia: Ya van 49 cadáveres recuperados en la mina San Fernando - diputado denuncia serias deficiencias en seguridad industrial
- Autor: El Mundo
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001384
* Colombia: Informe sobre acceso a la justicia y protección de los derechos humanos en el contexto de actividades empresariales
- Autor: Comisión Internacional de Juristas
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001381
* Perú: Pluspetrol reconoce derrame de petróleo en la Amazonía, dice que ya fue controlado - el río Marañón es la única fuente de agua dulce para muchos ribereños
- Autor: Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú
- Incluye video del derrame
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001366
* Informe anual 2010 de la Confederación Sindical Internacional denuncia múltiples abusos contra los derechos de los trabajadores
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001353
* Campaña Ropa Limpia pide a FIFA que tome medidas para erradicar el trabajo infantil y otros abusos laborales de la industria de los balones de fútbol
- Autor: SETEM Hego Haizea
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001361
* Nuevo libro: "Mercenarios y compañías militares y de seguridad privadas: dinámicas y retos para América Latina"
- Autor: Antoine Perret (editor)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001348
* En continuación a nuestras Actualizaciones pasadas- Guatemala: Gobierno dice que no hay evidencia que mina de Goldcorp contamine y que no la suspenderán a menos que la OEA lo ordene
- Autor: Bussiness Week
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001331
* Colombia: Cemex y Holcim sancionadas por contaminación del río Tunjuelo, recurso hídrico bogotano
- Autor: El Espectador; La República
- Cemex y Holcim rechazan sanción del Distrito
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001315
Français
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* Rapport annuel mondial souligne des abus des droits des travailleurs
- Auteur: Confédération syndicale internationale
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001352
* Human Rights Watch accuse le Zimbabwe de continuation des pratiques abusives dans les mines de diamant - recommande son exclusion du Processus de Kimberley
- Auteur: Human Rights Watch
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001369
* La Conférence de l’OIT adopte une nouvelle norme internationale du travail sur le VIH/sida
- Auteur: Organisation Internationale du Travail (OIT)
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001400
* Le secteur aérien cherche à réduire ses émissions de gaz à effet de serre
- Auteur: Novethic
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001402
* Nigéria : Depuis 50 ans, des marées noires à répétition polluent le delta du Niger
- Auteur: L'Express
http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/1001365
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