|
|
|
|
Weekly Update - 2 November 2016
|
|
Rainforest Action Network finds lack of progress in Japanese companies' disclosure of social & environmental risks associated with deforestation
- report comes on first anniversary of Japan’s Corporate Governance Code, designed to increase transparency
- we invited firms mentioned in report to respond to allegations of environmental & social risk factors in their supply chains
- responses from Askul, Fuji Oil, Itochu, Mizuho Financial Group, Sumitomo Forestry, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group
- Marubeni, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Oji Holdings, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings did not respond
(photo credit: BTU Weekly) |
|
From Business & Human Rights Resource Centre |
|
|
Conclusion of 2nd UN Intergovt. working group meeting on proposed business & human rights treaty
- focus on regulating companies operating abroad, legal obligations for business, scope of proposed treaty & access to justice
- push by So. Africa for draft negotiating text of proposed binding treaty to be delivered at next year’s session, resistance from other states
- civil society pleased with improved EU attendance, note absence of key states
- includes commentaries, materials & interviews
- oral statements & written contributions by business & civil society here
Registration for UN Forum on Business & Human Rights ends 8 Nov - speaker list now available
"Samsung - Modern Tech, Medieval Conditions" - report highlights anti-union activities & denial of justice to families of employees who died as a result of working conditions
Intl. Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
- we invited Samsung to respond; Samsung sent us a statement outlining their company level approach to labour rights without addressing the specific allegations made by ITUC
Blog: EU regulation on conflict minerals unlikely to trigger dynamic changes in supply chains
Chiara Macchi, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, in Rights as Usual
|
|
USA: Police forcefully remove native "water protectors" from Dakota Access Pipeline path
Guardian (UK); Los Angeles Times; EarthRights Intl., Center for Intl. Environmental Law & other NGOs; Amnesty Intl. USA; Mother Jones; Intl. Indian Treaty Council; Huffington Post; UN Special Rapporteur on rights of indigenous peoples
- some protesters allege cruel & inhumane treatment; continue marching near pipeline
- Amnesty Intl. to monitor police response to protesters
- NGOs warn pipeline company & financiers of possible legal liability
Colombia: NGOs denounce alleged aggression by govt. forces against community protesting health & environmental impacts of fracking by ConocoPhillips
Escuela Nacional Sindical
- we invited ConocoPhillips to respond - response provided
Brazil: Investors sign manifesto for a strong Brazilian Green Bonds Market
Investor Ideas (US and Canada)
USA: In advance of election, human rights expert says political funding committee controlled by BP supports candidates who undermine human rights, deny climate science
Christopher Avery, former Director of Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, former Deputy Head of Research, Amnesty Intl.; Reuters; Mother Jones
- we invited BP to respond – responses to original letter & rejoinder by Chris Avery provided, as well as further statement by Chris Avery
Mexico: Indigenous communities oppose mining company Almaden Minerals claiming lack of consultation
GPJ News Mexico
- includes company comments
|
|
Middle East & North Africa |
|
|
New responses from construction firms regarding migrant workers in the Gulf
- responses from Al Naboodah Construction Group, TAV Construction (re UAE) and QD-CBG, Salini Impregilo (re Qatar)
- ALEC, Balfour Beatty (re UAE), Ferrovial Agroman (re Qatar) declined to respond
Iran: UN Special Rapporteur says new investors can "do their part in ensuring respect for human rights in the country" - and must support better human rights protection
Ahmed Shaheed, UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran (in final report to UN)
Egypt: Ex-employees of Tanta Linen Factory demand to be rehired after being forced into early retirement
Daily News
- follows 2011 court verdict ordering factory to return to public sector after it was privatised
|
|
|
Company responses
Non-responses
|
|
|
Forthcoming events:
- course: business, conflict & human rights (10-12 Nov, Basel)
- tools to improve working conditions in global supply chains (10 Nov, London)
- symposium on modern slavery & ethical labour in construction (10 Nov, London)
- designing effective human rights training for business (10 Nov, online)
- business coaching on human rights due diligence (11 Nov, Bangalore)
- human rights impact of gold mining in Chocó, Colombia (11 Nov, London)
Details of these and other events further in the future can be found here. Please send relevant event information to Alex Janczenia: janczenia@business-humanrights.org
|
|
Current vacancies:
- Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (2 posts: Development Manager, Europe; Development Officer)
- Ethical Trading Initiative (Senior Policy & Advocacy Advisor)
- Fair Food Standards Council (3 posts: Financial Investigator, Human Rights; Human Rights Attorney; Human Rights Investigator)
- Fair Wear Foundation (Project Manager)
- Union of Concerned Scientists (3 posts: Outreach Coordinator; Outreach Intern; Senior Campaign Organizer, Fossil Fuel Company Accountability)
Further details and other recently posted jobs available here. To submit a new job announcement in business & human rights please go here.
|
|
DISCLAIMER:
We take no position on views by commentators, organizations & companies in the materials in this email: http://business-humanrights.org/en/about-us/disclaimer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
