http://www.business-humanrights.org Tracking the positive and negative impact of over 3000 companies worldwide. en-gb Wed, 14 May 2008 06:20:04 +0100 Wed, 14 May 2008 06:20:04 +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/733001 As concerns of a global hunger crises mount, IBM and researchers at the University of Washington today launched a new program to develop stronger strains of rice that could produce crops with larger and more nutritious yields. With the processing power of 167 teraflops, equivalent to the world's Top 3 supercomputer, IBM's World Community Grid will harness the unused and donated power from nearly one million individual PCs in a new initiative -- "Nutritious Rice for the World" project -- that will study rice at the atomic level and then combine it with traditional cross breeding techniques used by farmers throughout history. The project can be completed in less than two years as compared to over 200 years using more conventional computer systems. Fri, 16 May 2008 08:16:24 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/733001 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/717779 [Report on development projects by Anvil Mining in partnership with UK Department for Intl. Development (DFID), seen as "groundbreaking" by DFID. Includes criticism of DFID partnership due to concerns about Anvil's alleged complicity with Congolese military in human rights abuses at Kilwa, with eyewitness testimony regarding killings. Also includes statements by Anvil Mining.] Fri, 16 May 2008 00:09:18 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/717779 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/276180 Companies operating in high-risk zones, such as wars and areas of widespread violence, are increasingly facing court actions as the web of liability in this area expands. Consequently, companies, their board members, executives or employees face an increased risk of being held accountable for corporate and individual actions. International Alert and the Fafo Institute for Applied International Studies are launching the Red Flags initiative alerting companies to the risks they face when operating in areas where serious human rights buses occur. On the panel: John Ruggie...[,] Edward Bickham [Anglo-American]...Mark Taylor [Fafo]...Dan Smith [International Alert]...Friday 23 May 2008...Institute of Directors, 116 Pall Mall, London... Thu, 15 May 2008 17:55:22 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/276180 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/693935 ...India's remote Dongria Kondh tribe is claiming [Vedanta] will destroy them forever if it goes ahead with plans to mine their sacred mountain. Dongria Kondh spokesman Jitu Jakesika gave a message today to Vedanta's shareholders: ...We will become beggars if the company destroys our mountain and our forest so that they can make money.' Vedanta claim that they are investing in tribal development, but Mr Jakesika said, 'We don't want any money from this company, we don't want anything from them. We cannot give them our mountain, it is our life.' India's Supreme Court is deciding whether to permit Vedanta's subsidiary, Sterlite, to mine bauxite on the summit of the Dongria Kondh's sacred mountain, Niyamgiri, in the state of Orissa. Thu, 15 May 2008 17:41:33 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/693935 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/817700 The Walvis Bay Corridor HIV/Aids Help Desk published a 'Guide to the Workplace Policy' yesterdayon how to deal with the HIV/AIDS epidemic within the workplace environment to support and protect infected employees, andprevent thedisease from spreadingIt covers issues of confidentiality, testing, screening and counseling, employee benefits, and the promotion of safe working environments. Thu, 15 May 2008 16:49:23 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/817700 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/427672 Ecologistas en Accion aseguroque la Consejeria de Medio Ambiente de la Comunidad de Madrid ha autorizado a una fabrica de arcilla [propiedad del grupo frances Saint-Gobain]a continuar su actividad durante cinco anos, "a pesarde quela empresa incumple la normativa europea sobre incineracion de residuos y de que se estan emitiendo altos niveles de sustancias toxicas cancerigenas". La organizacion ecologistasenal[o]que las emisiones de la planta "podrian estar incidiendo en la salud de las personas del entorno, con varios casos recientes de cancer infantil[L]a Consejeria de Medio Ambienteconfirm[o]que la fabricacumple no solo con la normativa espanola sobre esta materia, "sino tambien la europea Thu, 15 May 2008 16:44:18 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/427672 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/983371 Human rights and corporate accountability international workshop - 30 May 2008, organized by: The Adam Smith Research Foundation, The Centre for Applied Ethics and Legal Philosophy, and the Department of Accounting and Finance.... The outcomes of the workshop will provide the basis for a long term research agenda on Human Rights and Corporate Social Responsibility at the University of Glasgow. Thu, 15 May 2008 16:24:41 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/983371 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/528997 Aramark employeesprotest[ed] what they describe as low wages, unaffordable health insurance and off-the-clock work assignmentsThe SEIU [Service Employees International Union] is seeking a nationwide card check neutrality agreement, which typically allows a union to organize workers at specific sites...But negotiations have been "going horribly," said Dan Schlademan...for SEIU...Elena Chavezsaid she and her co-workers can't afford to buy Aramark's health insuranceConditions are rough, too[S]he starts working at 5 a.m. but often doesn't get a lunch break until after 2 p.m[Other Aramark employees] said they're forced to work off the clock"We're not aware of any issues like what you describe, and they would be completely against our policy and training for our managers," according to [Aramark spokeswoman]"We'd encourage any employees with these complaints to contact us directly so that we can investigate the situation." Thu, 15 May 2008 12:02:51 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/528997 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/880185 Un equipo del OET [Observatorio de las Empresas Trasnacionales] estuvo enla localidad de Dock SudAlli se encuentra el Polo Petroquimico de Dock Sud, uno de los mas importantes del pais...La situacion socio-ambiental en el lugar es extremadamente grave, yuna de las mayores causantes de contaminacion es la empresa ShellEn este contexto, elOET se encuentra trabajando para presentar ante la OCDE la denuncia sobre la responsabilidad de esta empresa en los problemas que afectan gravemente el ambiente y la salud de los habitantes. [La empresa afirma que sus sistemas ambientales superan por mucho los requisitos legales vigentes]. Thu, 15 May 2008 10:12:46 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/880185 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/889245 In particular, we welcome the recognition of the corporate responsibility to respect human rights. It requires the performance of due diligence, which is not just a passive or reactive process. The responsibility to respect and its due diligence component form a very useful baseline for any business wishing to engage on human rights. Moving forward, it would be helpful to clarify under what circumstances companies might have more extensive responsibilities in order to respect human rights... Wed, 14 May 2008 19:48:10 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/889245 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/506847 BBVA y la Organizacion de Estados iberoamericanos para la Educacion, la Ciencia y la Cultura (OEI) han firmado un acuerdo para mejorar la educacion de la poblacion infantil en America Latina. El proyecto, denominado, "La Primera Infancia en Iberoamerica", esta destinado a mejorar la atencion, la cobertura social y la educacion de la poblacion infantil en la region. BBVA aportara 576.000 euros en los proximos cuatro anos para la elaboracion de esta iniciativa. Wed, 14 May 2008 16:18:26 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/506847 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/988655 [We] welcome the third report of Professor John Ruggie, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on business and human rights. This report, Protect, Respect and Remedy: A framework for Business and Human Rights, presents a well-constructed and clearly articulated framework for addressing business and human rights. Together with the extensive work behind it, the report has significantly advanced the debate on business and human rights. Wed, 14 May 2008 15:54:55 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/988655 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/683204 Further to the potential macro pressure, the next question is on what is being done by individual companies that have a presence in Myanmar? In the mix of companies operating or investing in the country many take no consideration of the human rights abuses, but a few have issued statements arguing they can make a difference to civilian lives through their investment, jobs and community development projects. Arguably it is the companies on the ground that have the greatest responsibility to provide support...[refers to companies providing some form of support: Total, Exotissimo, PTT, Chevron, Lonely Planet, Abercrombie & Kent, Asia TransPacific Journeys, Google, Microsoft, Intrepid Travel] Wed, 14 May 2008 15:24:44 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/683204 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/948562 The lives of more than 5 million children in developing countries could be saved if the super-rich and multinational firms paid their fair share in taxes, according to a leading British charity... The charity estimates that governments in the poorest countries are being cheated out of at least $160 billion (R1.2 trillion) a year in tax revenues... Christian Aid director Daleep Mukarji said: "We predict that illegal trade-related tax evasion alone will be responsible for the deaths of 5.6 million children under the age of five between 2000 and 2015. That's almost 1 000 a day." Wed, 14 May 2008 14:58:55 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/948562 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/671876 Bajas remuneraciones, pesima proteccion de sus vidas, sobreexplotacion laboral e incluso malos tratos de sus superiores, muchas veces ex policias o ex militares, son los principales argumentos de los guardias de seguridad privada que incurren en delitos mientras laboran...[U]n reciente analisis...determino que 272 guardias han estado involucrados en actos delictivos y tienen antecedentes penales[y] que 461 custodios cometieron delitos, incluso sexuales[El] jefe del departamento de COSP [Control de Organizaciones de Seguridad Privada] considera que estos problemas surgen por la falta de prolijidad en la seleccion[A]nade que el estudio detecto el funcionamiento de empresas ilegales... [se refiere a Arseg, Sepronac, Fortius] Wed, 14 May 2008 14:37:53 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/671876 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/439076 A senior World Bank official said...that countries should not greatly increase biofuels production until there is more clarity about how much they have contributed to the global food price crisis. Juergen Voegele, director for agriculture and rural development department at the World Bank, cautioned against shifting a lot of the blame to biofuels but also said massive subsidies for the biofuel industry was not helping the crisis...He said the World Bank was analyzing biofuels on several fronts, including its economic, environmental and social value...Experts blame the food crisis on the conversion of land to grow crops for biofuel... Wed, 14 May 2008 12:55:43 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/439076 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/526794 Leber Jeweler Inc. expresses our heartfelt support for the people of Burma in their time of need. Cyclone Nargisis only the latest catastrophe to confront this desperately troubled nationSince 1962 this nation has suffered under the rule of brutal dictatorships that have committed a long list of human rights abusesThey continue to use the revenue from the sale of natural gas, timber, and gemstones to fund their reign of terror...Leber Jeweler Inc. remains firmly committed to supporting the Block Burmese JADE Act. This bill will prohibit the importation of gemstones from BurmaIn addition, we will continue our work through the Jewelers' Burma Relief Project to assist the people of Burma by helping to raise awareness of this humanitarian tragedy. Wed, 14 May 2008 12:31:11 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/526794 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/182370 Direct Relief is currently planning to airlift more than $200,000 worth of medical aid to the region, thanks to contributions from Abbott, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, the Johnson & Johnson family of companies, MedVantx, Mylan Laboratories, Midmark and Sappo Hill Soapworks. Also, thanks to a partnership with Google, Direct Relief has collected more than $60,000 in contributions, 100 percent of which will go to provide aid and support for cyclone victims. Wed, 14 May 2008 11:44:33 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/182370 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/101262 [L]a Organizacion de Comercio Justo IDEAS, en colaboracion con la Asociacion Espanola de Profesionales de Compras, Contratacion y Aprovisionamientosy la Confederacion de Asociaciones de Consumidores y Usuarioshan puesto en marcha la campana 'Respeto a los derechos humanos en la Cadena de Suministro', para informar y sensibilizar a los consumidores sobre la necesidad de garantizar el respeto de estos derechos desde su produccion hasta su distribucion, "evitando asi los abusos que en muchas ocasiones se producen en esta cadena. Wed, 14 May 2008 10:57:27 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/101262 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/569538 La Cour supreme des tats-Unis a avalise lundi la recevabilite d'une serie de plaintes reclamant plusieurs milliards de dollars a une cinquantaine de multinationales accusees d'avoir aide le gouvernement sud-africain pendant la periode de l'apartheid... [La] Cour...precise que le quorum n'a pas ete atteint dans ce cas, quatre des neuf juges s'etant recuses en raison de possibles conflits d'interet avec les entreprises incriminees... La procedure vise une cinquantaine de societes dont Shell, Citigroup, Barclays, Coca-Cola, Colgate-Palmolive, Dow Chemical, Exxon Mobil, Ford, Fujitsu...IBM... Wed, 14 May 2008 10:09:40 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/569538 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/123803 Services des Entreprises Petrolieres Congolaises, une societe d'entreposage, de transport et de distribution des produits petroliers [en] Republique democratique du Congo, a remis...une contribution financiere au Programme alimentaire mondial des Nations Unies...Ces fonds sont destines a l'execution...[d']un programme conjoint des Nations unies ciblant les groupes les plus exposes au Vih/Sida dans le secteur du transport...plan d'action s'articule sur 4 axes, a savoir : l'information et la sensibilisation, la prevention, le depistage volontaire, enfin l'assistance aux personnes vivant avec le VIH pour leur permettre d'acceder aux soins... Wed, 14 May 2008 09:52:53 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/123803 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/442242 Chevron Corp., one of the few American companies doing business in Burma, reportedthat it will contribute $2 million to relief efforts there after last week's devastating cyclone. Chevron will give $1 million to the International Federation of the Red Cross to deliver aid to the southeast Asian country. Another $1 million will be divided among four other groups: the International Organization for Migration, Mercy Corps, Pact and Save the Children. "Chevron's contribution represents our commitment to the people of Myanmar," said Jim Blackwell, president of Chevron Asia Pacific Exploration & Production. [also refers to Total, Unocal (now part of Chevron)] Wed, 14 May 2008 09:43:22 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/442242 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/753990 Le groupe petrolier francais Total, regulierement denonce par des organisations des droits de l'Homme pour sa presence en Birmanie, va faire un don de deux millions de dollars pour les victimes du cyclone Nargis qui a ravage le pays la semaine derniere. Wed, 14 May 2008 09:32:21 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/753990 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/875788 Les dirigeants de Power (POW) ont du justifier ses interets en Birmanie, par l'entremise de la petroliere francaise Total, lors de l'assemblee d'actionnaires...[selon] le president du conseil et co-chef de la direction de Power, Paul Desmarais..."Total...vient meme d'annoncer 2 millions en aide d'urgence (apres le cyclone) avec les organisations humanitaires"...Power a un interet chez Total par l'entreprise...du groupe europeen Bruxelles Lambert, qui detient lui 3,9% de la petroliere francaise...Total est l'un des principaux investisseurs etrangers en Birmanie, ou sevit une junte militaire tres critiquee pour ses violations des droits de l'homme. Selon...Ethical Funds, la participation de Power dans Total pourrait contrevenir a la politique du gouvernement canadien envers la Birmanie...Paul Desmarais, jr a admis "etre preoccupe de la situation au Myanmar...et...confiants de son role de bon citoyen corporatif, en accord avec les politiques du Canada, de l'ONU et de la France"... Wed, 14 May 2008 09:02:54 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/875788 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/551530 Based at the FIDH International Secretariat in Paris, the Program Officer will contribute to the activities of the Globalisation and Human Rights Desk relating to corporate responsibility, under the supervision of the Executive Director. Wed, 14 May 2008 06:20:04 +0100 http://www.business-humanrights.org/Links/Repository/551530