今年的年度简报聚焦日益严重的公司侵犯人权的有罪不罚现象。在经济民族主义日盛的形势下，有罪不罚现象极有可能进一步恶化——特别是在商业利益借民族主义政治盛行之机扩大影响，保护自己免于承担侵犯人权责任的情况下。无良公司日益将权益倡导者作为打压和诉讼的目标，利用司法系统让他们承担责任。公司和政府也许能赢得这些诉讼，但这将导致极高的社会成本，如对建立在尊重开放社会、公民空间、人权和法治基础之上的商业环境造成负面影响。
这是一种恶性循环；随着有罪不罚现象的日益严重，无良公司将更加肆无忌惮地不惜代价（甚至攻击他们的批评者）追求利润，攻击权益倡导者和律师，用恐吓阻止他们让公司为侵权行为承担责任，助长有罪不罚现象的蔓延。幸运的是，一些政府和公司已采取措施来应对这一问题；一些法院也作出了有利于打破这一恶性循环的值得学习借鉴的判决。全球顶尖的专家，包括联合国的专家，已经确定了一些额外的切实可行的措施，以加强受害者救济和对抗有罪不罚现象。
本期年度简报有两个主题：
1. 无良公司侵犯人权有罪不罚的现象日益严重
2. 解决有罪不罚现象的机会正在出现
在结尾部分，我们向公司及其律师，以及在保护人权维护者和倡导者领域扮演重要角色的政府提出了若干建议。
浏览简报全文（目前仅有英文版）
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企业法律责任年度简报 - 企业有罪不罚现象司空见惯，为受害者提供的救济却寥寥无几
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Ежегодный брифинг по корпоративной правовой подотчетности - Корпоративная безнаказанность обыденна, в то время как средства правовой защиты для жертв - большая редкость
В этом году Ежегодный брифинг акцентирует внимание на растущей безнаказанности нарушений прав человека компаниями. В контексте растущего экономического национализма такая ситуация грозит усугубиться, особенно в тех случаях, когда коммерческие интересы способны управлять популистской националистической политикой с целью получения глубокого влияния и ограждения от ответственности. Недобросовестные компании все чаще прибегают к репрессиям и судебным процессам против активистов, которые обращаются за правосудием для привлечения компаний к ответственности. Отдельные компании и правительства могут выиграть эти дела, но для более широкого общества цена слишком высока, в том числе для деловой среды, основанной на соблюдении принципов открытого общества, гражданского пространства, прав человека и верховенства закона.
Это замкнутый круг: растущая безнаказанность придает смелости недобросовестным компаниям к получению прибыли любой ценой, даже не гнушаясь атаками на критикующие стороны, а нападки на правозащитников и адвокатов в свою очередь охлаждают усилия по привлечению компаний к ответственности, что влечет за собой еще большую безнаказанность. К счастью, несколько правительств и компаний предприняли шаги, а некоторые суды вынесли решения, которые могут разорвать эту связь, и заслуживают того, чтобы стать примером и основой для других. Ведущие мировые эксперты, в том числе в ООН, определили дополнительные практические меры, которые расширили бы доступ жертв к средствам правовой защиты и противодействовали безнаказанности.
Этот Ежегодный брифинг состоит из двух разделов.
1. Безнаказанность недобросовестных компаний в отношении нарушений прав человека растет
2. Появляются возможности для борьбы с безнаказанностью
В заключение мы предлагаем рекомендации для правительств, которые играют критически важную роль в защите правозащитников и адвокатов, а также для компаний и их юристов.
Полный текст брифинга доступен здесь (только на английском языке).
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Chinese, Iranian firms to sign first nuclear plant redesign contracts
Companies from China and Iran will this weekend sign the first commercial contracts to redesign an Iranian nuclear plant as part of an international deal reached in 2015 over Iran's nuclear program, China's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
The fate of the Arak reactor in central Iran was one of the toughest sticking points in the long nuclear negotiations that led to the agreement, signed by Iran with the United States, Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany.
In the redesign, the heavy water reactor will be reconfigured so it cannot yield fissile plutonium usable in a nuclear bomb.
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Colombia: Comunidades locales preocupadas por proyecto de Minesa en fase de estudio de impacto ambiental en área cercana al Páramo de Santurbán
Con fondos de Mubadála, el nuevo proyecto se encuentra en la fase de estudio de impacto ambiental y exportaría minerales para ser procesados fuera del territorio, según la empresa. La comunidad y organizaciones ambientales siguen expresando su preocupación por los impactos en el ecosistema de páramo y el acceso al agua.
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El Salvador: Autoridades congelan bienes de OceanaGold ante negativa de la empresa de pagar compensación ordenada por tribunal de arbitraje
“El Salvador congela bienes y cuentas bancarias de minera OceanaGold”, 19 de Abril de 2017
…El Salvador congeló bienes y cuentas bancarias de la minera australiana-canadiense OceanaGold ante su negativa de cancelar al país centroamericano ocho millones de dólares por los gastos procesales que incurrió durante un litigio en un tribunal internacional, informó el martes la Fiscalía General. La inmovilización de los bienes, que fue autorizada por la Corte Suprema, incluye tres cuentas bancarias con un monto de 198.904 dólares, siete vehículos y nueve inmuebles…El Salvador le ganó en el 2016 un arbitraje en el Centro Internacional de Arreglos de Diferencias Relativas a Inversiones (CIADI) del Banco Mundial a OceanaGold, que reclamaba al país 250 millones de dólares por revocarle el permiso...En su sentencia, el CIADI ordenó a OceanaGold pagar ocho millones de dólares a El Salvador por los costos del proceso…
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Argentina: Gobierno presenta medida cautelar ante la Justicia Federal para suspender actividades de Barrick Gold en proyecto Veladero
“Barrick Gold podría perder concesión por los derrames”
Tras sucesivos incidentes operacionales en el emprendimiento minero Veladero en la provincia de San Juan (oeste), las autoridades le manifestaron que “tiene que cambiar drásticamente sus estándares de operación”…El gobierno argentino presentó el viernes una medida cautelar ante la justicia federal para que suspenda las actividades de la mina…La demanda fue presentada por el ministro de Ambiente Sergio Bergman, “para evitar que se pongan en riesgo las reservas de agua del oeste argentino”, según un comunicado de su cartera.,,Bergman presentó la demanda de suspensión de todas las actividades de la mina “hasta que se garantice que no se producirán daños materiales”, luego de que “una comisión técnica constatara fallas en el sistema de lixiviación” (separación de metales), indicó el parte…La suspensión ya había sido ordenada la semana pasada por las autoridades y la justicia de San Juan, luego de que la Barrick Gold reportara un nuevo incidente en Veladero el 29 de marzo.
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Pakistan: Bank Information Center publishes report on social & environmental impacts of AIIB-funded Tarbela 5 hydropower extension
"The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Tarbela 5 hydropower extension project, Pakistan", Apr 2017
The Tarbela 5 hydropower extension project in Pakistan is one of the first investments made by… Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)…Project documents point out the benefits: “The Project will provide a low cost, clean, renewable energy option in a relatively short period of time…But a deeper look at Tarbela 5 shows a landscape and community that have suffered extreme harms that have not yet been righted. Tens of thousands of people were displaced in the 1970s and 1990s by two mega hydropower projects, Tarbela and Gazi Brarotha…To this day many thousands of families remain impoverished and are still seeking fair compensation and redress for their losses.
The AIIB has recognised this and has committed that its $300 million investment in Tarbela 5 will not only contribute to the new construction, but also address “social legacy issues” from the previous projects . Like its co-investor, the World Bank, the AIIB classifies Tarbela 5 as high risk, or Category A.
The Tarbela 5 project presents a significant challenge to the new bank. It is a hands-on opportunity for the AIIB to learn from the mistakes of the past and right the many existing wrongs of previous projects. It is also a test of the AIIB’s environmental and social safeguards…
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Summer COP@King's: International climate change negotiation masterclass
With the adoption of the 2015 Paris Agreement, international law and negotiation have never been more vital to the global response to climate change. Lawyers have always played a central role in crafting international treaties, but the urgency of the climate challenge has increased the pressure on these negotiations to deliver strong outcomes at scale and speed.
To respond to this challenge, The Dickson Poon School of Law will host a negotiation masterclass for the next generation of international lawyers and climate change leaders. The masterclass will be held on 19 June at the Anatomy Museum, Strand, London. Participants will engage in a simulated negotiation drawn from current, real-world challenges faced by governments in giving effect to the Paris Agreement under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, through its Conference of Parties (COP).
Through expert briefings and participation in the simulated negotiation as representatives of countries, country groups and non-state actors, participants will gain unique insights into the process of developing international climate change law which can be applied in commercial legal work, government service, work on behalf of civil society and academic studies.
The negotiation masterclass will be facilitated by Visiting Professor Daniel Bodansky and other expert faculty of Climate Law and Governance at King’s College London. Climate Law and Governance at King's College London is concerned with investigating and evaluating legal and governance frameworks for climate change policy across different countries, across different sectors and cultures. Current research in the School is examining governance modalities for the mobilisation of climate finance and technology, how climate change is adjudicated in the courtroom and how it can disrupt dominant legal and decision-making frameworks.
Professor Daniel Bodansky, Foundation Professor of Law at Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Arizona State University; Visiting Professor in Climate Law and Governance at The Dickson Poon School of Law, King’s College London.
Judge David D. Caron, Professor of International Law, The Dickson Poon School of Law, King’s College London; Member, The Iran-United States Claims Tribunal.
Dr Megan Bowman, Lecturer in Law, The Dickson Poon School of Law, King’s College London.
Stephen Minas, Senior Research Fellow, Transnational Law Institute, The Dickson Poon School of Law, King’s College London.
To apply
Current research, LLM and LLB students at King’s College London and other universities with an interest in climate change are welcome to apply. Applications close on 13 May. Successful applicants will be notified by 19 May.
To apply, please submit your CV (two pages maximum), and 500 words on the significance of UN climate negotiations and their relationship with law, to stephen.minas@kcl.ac.uk
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Des entreprises poursuivies pour crimes contre l’humanité en Colombie et en Syrie
« Le cas Lafarge dans le débat des présidentielles : entreprises et crimes contre l'humanité », 20 avril 2017
Le 4 avril dernier lors du débat télévisé, François Fillon et Jean‑Luc Mélenchon ont tous deux évoqué le fait que l’entreprise Lafarge soit accusée d’avoir payé des taxes et droits de passage à l’organisation État islamique…
[L]’ONG Sherpa qui dépose plainte en novembre 2016, conjointement avec onze employés du groupe et le Centre européen pour les droits constitutionnels et les droits de l’homme, auprès d’un juge d’instruction de Paris pour financement de terrorisme, complicité de crimes de guerre et de crimes contre l’humanité…
Un mois avant, la presse colombienne annonçait que 200 entreprises locales et multinationales devraient répondre de crimes contre l’humanité pour la première fois en Colombie pour avoir financé des groupes paramilitaires dans le nord du pays. La plainte vise notamment quatre grands groupes multinationaux : Chiquita, Del Monte et Dole Food Company (communément appelé le « banana block ») ainsi que Coca-Cola (auquel pourrait se rajouter BP)…
La question de poursuivre les multinationales et leurs dirigeants de crime contre l’humanité n’est pas un cas isolé et il existe des précédents…[mais] le processus de mise en accusation reste délicat…
[Fait aussi référence à Flick, IG Farben, Royal Timber Company, ThyssenKrupp]
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USA: Cherokee Nation sues 6 of the largest drug companies over alleged “epidemic” of prescription painkiller abuse leading to deaths
"Cherokee Nation sues drug companies for alleged 'epidemic' of prescription painkiller abuse", 20 Apr 2017
Accusing them of creating “an epidemic of prescription opioid drug abuse” by flooding Oklahoma with unnecessary painkillers, the Cherokee Nation filed a lawsuit Thursday against six of the largest drug distributors in the United States.
The defendants include Wal-Mart, Walgreens and CVS…
“Defendants turned a blind eye to the problem of opioid diversion,” the lawsuit says, “and profited from the sale of prescription opioids to the citizens of the Cherokee Nation in quantities that far exceeded the number of prescriptions that could reasonably have been used for legitimate medical purposes.”
Cardinal Health vowed to “vigorously defend ourselves against the plaintiff’s mischaracterization.”…
CVS did not comment directly on the lawsuit but said “We also have stringent policies, procedures and tools…to ensure that our pharmacists properly exercise their corresponding responsibility to determine whether a controlled-substance prescription was issued for a legitimate medical purpose before filling it.”…[Also refers to AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, McKesson]
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Reframing Human Rights: Shared Value through Global Corporate Citizenship
Explore the role of human rights in long-term company value and gain exclusive insight on best practices in addressing the unique cross-jurisdictional challenges faced by multinational companies globally. Join a top-tier audience of senior-level executives and subject matter experts who specialize in mitigating risk and leveraging human rights practices designed to improve company performance.
Engage with multinational company management and subject matter experts on how to best manage risk and opportunity in human rights related practices.
Discover the connection between human rights, human capital development and operational opportunity for resiliency & ROI.
Apply the latest innovations designed to move beyond meeting minimum regulatory compliance to achieving benchmarks that drive sustained performance.
Please click here for a full programme and information on how to register.
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Inside the ICAR Studio Speaker Series
The "Inside the ICAR Studio" Speaker Series is an initiative to empower the next generation of advocates, lawyers, and campaigners with access to innovators and path-pavers from the human rights, labor rights, and environmental justice movement.
Learn from these experts about their career paths, their vision of the world, and how they are working to make human rights, labor rights, and environmental justice a reality.
ICAR will be hosting a Speaker Session with Jill Tucker, C&A Foundation on Friday, May 5, 2017 at 12:00pm. Please click here for further information, including Jill Tucker's Biography.
This event is open to all ICAR member and partner organizations, including staff, fellows, and interns.
Please RSVP here.
For questions please contact, Ari Alvarez, ari@icar.ngo.
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Citizen engagement in natural resource governance: stakeholder dialogue series
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New Conversations Project Conference 2017: The Frontier of Sustainable Labor Practices in Global Supply Chains: Lessons from Bangladesh and Better Work
The New Conversations Project Inaugural Conference set for May 3, 2017 envisions bringing together stakeholders working in the area of labor compliance in global supply chains, including retailers, brands and manufacturers; NGOs and other civil society organizations; academics and researchers; policymakers, social auditors and other supply chain professionals with the objectives to:
• Learn from new research on the post-Rana Plaza factory safety initiatives (the Accord and Alliance), and on the ILO/IFC Better Work Program.• Discuss what lies ahead and specifically how the roles of multi-stakeholders could change as we try to secure and promote workers' rights in global supply chains.• Discuss the changing landscape of trade regulation under the new Trump administration and its potential impact on efforts to promote workers' rights in global supply chains.
For more details, agenda and registration, visit the conference webpage.
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Expert says farmers rejected rice project due to lack of information on the project by govt. and investor
"Why Butaleja farmers rejected the Shs26b rice scheme project"
An article was published in Daily Monitor (March 14, 2017) about Butaleja District residents rejecting a Shs26b project. Before anyone can jump to conclusions and call these residents all sorts of names, it is important to realise that short of following recommended procedures when dealing with communities, even well-intentioned projects are likely never to see the light of day...The approach taken by the authorities was crucial in shaping people’s perceptions. With very little information being put out about the planned project, the farmers were merely informed to get ready for the works. The lack of clarity of issues gave room for the usual detractors to step in and fill the void. Due to the guarded manner the district administration and some political leaders took when releasing information, the affected farmers became apprehensive hence making them suspicious of the intentions. Matters were made worse by the previous intention to sell off the rice scheme to an unindentified investor in 2016. It took a concerted effort of multiple stakeholders to stop this. So, once bitten, twice shy.
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Local farmers reject ougrowers rice scheme; say it will rob them of their livelihood
"Residents reject Shs26b project"
Government’s plan to modernise Lwoba-Bwirya Irrigation Scheme in Himutu Sub-county Butaleja District hangs in balance after local farmers rejected a Shs26 billion project. The residents argue that government is targeting to grab their land. “We entirely depend on this scheme for our livelihood. So by allowing government to take over its management is like sending us to commit suicide” Mr Gamole Wabweyo, the farmers’ chairperson, said during the meeting...
According to the framers, more than 3,000 residents depend on this scheme. However, the LC3 chairman, Mr Fabiano Higenyi, said government is not intending to grab people’s land as its being speculated by disgruntled politicians. Mr Higenyi revealed that the government only intends to modernise the scheme in order benefit farmers more. He said the project intends to develop infrastructure and water gate channels. “As a leader, it’s a critical moment for me because farmers are being misguided and have not understood the benefits of the scheme,” Mr Higenyi explained.
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Uganda: Local farmers failure to support rice project attributed to lack of information, including by the prospective investor
The failure by local farmers to support a rice project has been blamed for failure to adequately consult the local community and provide information, including the details of the prospective private investor.
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Uganda: Police commence investigations on sexual harassment allegations against Aya Investments chairman by employee
"Police summon Aya chairman over sexual abuse"
Police last week summoned Mr Muhammad Hamid, the chairman of Aya Investments Ltd, over accusations that he sexually abused his female employee before sacking her in December last year. Kampala Metropolitan Police (KPM) spokesperson Emilian Kayima echoed last week’s statement that police was trying to get the videos which the complainant said show Mr Hamid molesting her. Police said the investigation had commenced and would take action once they are concluded.
Mr Kayima said Mr Hamid recorded a statement last week at Old Kampala Police Station since his complainant had opened up a sexual assault case at the same station. “True, he was summoned and recorded a statement. The accuser also recorded a statement and we are trying to merge the two case files. We ask the complainant and suspect to be cooperative as we conduct investigations,” Mr Kayima said. Mr Hamid was first summoned at CPS to record a statement after the complainant filed an assault case against him...Mr Kayima dismissed claims that Mr Hamid was being shielded by the police and scoffed at those who think he is untouchable. “There is a lot of false stuff that he [Mr Hamid] is untouchable and protected by the police. Where? You wait, you will see after our investigations,” Mr Kayima said.
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USA: UN experts warn state bills criminalising protest would jeopardise rights of those opposing pipelines, supporting indigenous rights
U.N. Experts Warn ‘Undemocratic’ Anti-Protest Bills Threaten Free Speech, 18 Apr 2017
Following Donald Trump’s presidential win, lawmakers in at least 19 states have introduced legislation to restrict the right to protest, even making it legal to run over protesters blocking traffic, or allowing officers to clear the road by “any means necessary.” Maina Kiai and David Kaye, U.N. experts on freedom of peaceful assembly and expression, warn the trend in such state bills is incompatible with international human rights, and ending peaceful protests infringes upon U.S. constitutional rights. “The trend threatens to jeopardize one of the United States’ constitutional pillars: free speech,” Kiai and Kaye said in a recent statement sent to U.S. authorities. “From the Black Lives Matter movement, to the environmental and Native American movements in opposition to the Dakota Access oil pipeline, and the Women’s Marches, individuals and organizations across [American] society have mobilized in peaceful protests.”
Bills in Republican-governed states like Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri and North Dakota were drafted with the intent of curbing protests but do not specifically use the word “protest” in the documents. For example, in January, North Dakota lawmakers introduced House Bill 1203, which states that unintentionally running over a person obstructing traffic can be lawful... Rep. Keith Kempenich (R-Bowman), a co-sponsor of the bill, admitted it was created in response to the Dakota Access Pipeline protests in southern Morton County. Native Americans led the protests... The bill was voted down 40-51 by House lawmakers in February. [also refers to proposed bill in Minnesota]
[Official UN statement:UN rights experts urge lawmakers to stop “alarming” trend to curb freedom of assembly in the US, 30 March 2017]
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US Govt. signals it may reverse domestic steps on extractive industry revenue transparency - move is counter to global trend
The U.S. Retreat from Extractive Industry Transparency–What Next?, 13 Apr 2017
The US Department of the Interior recently took steps to halt its work on implementing a global transparency initiative for the resource sector, known as the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). This announcement came on the heels of the Congressional action repealing a related rule, adopted by the SEC pursuant to Section 1504 of the Dodd-Frank Act, that required oil, gas and mining companies to publish their payments to governments. The two issues are related but distinct...[The] Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) applies in those countries whose governments choose to join the initiative (including the US) and requires payments to be disclosed both by the recipient government as well as by all extractives companies that operate in that country... EITI produces valuable information from governments about the payments they receive for their natural resources, whereas mandatory legal rules like 1504 are necessary to ensure meaningful and broad reporting from companies, including in those resource-rich countries such as Equatorial Guinea and Angola that are not part of EITI but are in desperate need of more transparency. Indeed, the US EITI experience shows that even in those countries that do commit to implementing EITI, EITI alone might not be enough to compel all companies to report, if it is not backed by domestic legislation.
Officials at Interior appear to be retreating from their ill-advised decision to effectively withdraw from EITI, but these mixed signals, especially when viewed together with the Congressional action, send a troubling message about the US government’s changing stance on anticorruption, and set back a long history of US leadership on these issues. Nonetheless, while these recent US developments are a setback from a US anticorruption perspective, the rest of the world is powering ahead with this much needed transparency...
[Some] skeptics of extractive transparency, including on this blog, have questioned whether the EITI is a success story at all. The extent of the EITI’s success depends on how it’s measured. The EITI has been the most successful in institutionalizing transparency as a global norm; it has also been largely successful in operationalizing robust reporting and auditing standards, according to a recent meta-study. On the question of whether the EITI makes a difference to developmental and economic outcomes, the research to date is less clear, and it may simply be too early to tell... As for whether the EITI can reduce corruption, the answer likely depends on factors like the active involvement of civil society in a country’s EITI process... [In] 2015 EITI adopted a groundbreaking international protocol to protect the active participation of civil society in the EITI process. As a result, oppressive and corrupt regimes like Azerbaijan can no longer benefit from the positive signalling of their EITI participation while continuing to silence their critics. Indeed, Azerbaijan was recently suspended from EITI for failing to improve its treatment of civil society groups.
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