Weekly Update - 28 October 2015

• parallel events concept notes now online
• programme on 2nd day (17 Nov) includes: measuring business implementation of UN Guiding Principles; challenges & lessons learned from Natl. Action Plans; consultation on Office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights accountability & remedy project
• events on 3rd day to be highlighted in next week’s Update
• Where to find Business & Human Rights Resource Centre at the 2015 UN Forum
• blog series on measuring implementation of Guiding Principles

• analysis of 10 years of approaches to companies on allegations of abuses in Francophone Africa: 42% relate to extractive companies
• released on the occasion of 2nd annual economic forum of La Francophonie
• highlights key trends relating to local impacts, transparency, good practices; makes recommendations for companies & govts.

• Development Director, UK/Europe
• Project Manager, Migrant workers in the Gulf construction industry
• Communications Intern

Carbon Tracker Initiative, CDP, ClientEarth & Climate Disclosure Standards Board

• we invited EITI to respond; the board is currently considering a response

Sedex

Climate Justice Programme

Sarah Gunther, Columbia Univ. (USA)

• we invited Facebook to respond - response provided

• "Labor trafficking is everywhere and nowhere": Christian Science Monitor series on modern slavery
• New report: “The Freedom Ecosystem – How the Power of Partnership Can Help Stop Modern Day Slavery" - collaborative effort by Deloitte, Free the Slaves
• ILO launches "50 for Freedom" campaign to end modern slavery - seeks 50 countries to ratify Forced Labour Protocol by 2018

Bench Marks Foundation

• we invited Anglo Platinum to respond - response provided

Oil in Uganda

Guardian (UK)

Vice News (USA)

• Chevron says transcripts “make clear that Chevron proved its case”
• see our summary profile of case

New York Times (USA)

NGOs including Center for Intl. Environmental Law, MiningWatch Canada

China Labor Watch; AFP; CNET

• report also notes improvements in hiring process - now no evidence of age, ethnicity discrimination previously alleged
• article with company's comment also provided

Asian Correspondent

• we invited SMEC to respond - response provided

• we invited Barrick Gold to respond - response provided

Jakarta Globe 

• explores the impact of pollution caused by forest fires in palm oil plantations

South China Morning Post 

Margot Wallström, Minister for Foreign Affairs (Sweden) & Dr. Denis Mukwege, Founder & Medical Director, Panzi Hospital and Foundations (Dem. Rep. of Congo) in Huffington Post

• see also: Petition calls on UK Govt. to support binding measures for EU conflict minerals regulation

IndustriALL

The Peninsular (Qatar)

Al Arabiya (UAE)

• workshop on implementing the UN Guiding Principles (Kuala Lumpur, 29 Oct)
• panel discussion on human rights risk in the supply chain (Sydney, 29 Oct)
• how business can tackle deforestation (London, 2-3 Nov)
• e-learning course on business & human rights (online, 4 Nov-15 Dec)
• conference on social responsibility in mining (Antofagasta, 4-6 Nov)
• "Modern Slavery: Putting Effective Due Diligence in Place" (London, 4 Nov)
• EU role in the global garment industry (Brussels, 4 Nov; register by 30 Oct)
• discussion: climate change & the role of business (New York, 4 Nov)

• Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (3 posts: Development Director, UK/Europe; Project Manager, Migrant workers in the Gulf construction industry; Communications Intern)
• FirstGroup (Group Head of Environment)
• Intl. Alert (2 posts: Corporate Engagement Intern; Great Lakes Regional Manager)
• One Earth Future (Director, Early Engagement in Extractives)
• Oxfam (Private Sector Policy & Support Officer)