Controversial new standards governing the operation of multinational companies in developing countries and conflict zones could undermine rather than reinforce efforts to protect human rights if the framework is adopted in its current form, according to leading rights groups. The standards, drawn up by John Ruggie, United Nations special representative for business and human rights, are designed as global benchmarks guiding companies towards protecting employees, local communities and the environment, and ending high-profile cases of corporate abuses...The UN’s Human Rights Council is expected to adopt the closely watched framework in June...However, in a strongly-worded statement Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and five other pressure groups argue the current draft should not be adopted by the HRC because it fails to outline clearly enough how governments should regulate business activity, and how companies should avoid abusing human rights...A strong stance by such respected human rights groups could influence the position of some HRC members, observers said. [refers to Cerrejón Coal (joint venture Anglo American, BHP Billiton, Xstrata), HP, Tesco]