Review of Azza Soliman’s, other rights workers’ asset freezes, adjourned to December 14, 12 December 2016
A final decision regarding the recommendation by an investigative judge to freeze the assets of human rights defender Azza Soliman and the organization she heads was postponed Monday to December 14. The asset freeze recommendation is part of a wider case that includes other human rights defenders, some of whose assets have also been frozen and are due to be reviewed on this date … Parliament passed the NGO law amid controversy over articles expanding the authority and role of the state in monitoring and regulating Egyptian civil society … Soliman attempted to cash a cheque from the Ahli United Bank in early December, when the administration at the bank told her there was an asset freeze on her account at the request of investigative judge Hesham Abdel Hameed, despite the fact the court has not yet reviewed the recommendation. She filed an appeal at the police station. A few days later, on December 7, Soliman was arrested and interrogated, before she was later released on LE20,000 bail … Judge Abdel Hameed charged Soliman during her interrogation with accepting foreign funds with the aim of damaging the country’s security, establishing an entity that undertakes NGO activities and tax evasion. Soliman was banned from travel on November 19, and told by airport security that the decision was issued on November 17 due to her involvement in an ongoing court case.
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Egypt: Human rights defender awaits decision on asset freeze order
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Response by HudBay Minerals
All areas of corporate responsibility are serious and important. They deserve care in administration by a company and substance in discussion by everyone. No concern is served by hyperbole, innuendo or baseless accusations. We reject in the strongest possible terms claims about Hudbay made with regard to the individuals in the material at link... Hudbay Peru has an arrangement with the Peruvian national police whereby the police provide periodic security to the Constancia operation. These arrangements are common at mining projects in Peru and they are directly contemplated and permitted by Peruvian legislation. When police come to Constancia they receive training on site in the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights and Hudbay Peru’s expectation that the Principles are followed is made clear... Hudbay became aware of the April 22nd event as a result of subsequent social media and conventional media, largely the day after the detentions. Hudbay regards the video in question as lacking credibility, so we have no concern if or where it is shown. In summary, the existence of agreements between companies and police is not uncommon in Peru. The events of April 22 were not directed or requested by Hudbay.
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Australia: Westpac rules out loan to Adani Group’s coal mine, prompts govt. criticism; incl. companies statements
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"Peruvian police detain filmmaker after showing documentary critical of Hudbay Minerals"
The Peruvian National Police and immigration authorities detained InvestigativeMedia owner and filmmaker John Dougherty on April 21 after he finished screening his documentary film “Flin Flon Flim Flam” in Cusco, Peru…The documentary reports on Toronto-based Hudbay Minerals’ worldwide mining operations…More than a dozen plain-clothes officers surrounded Mr. Dougherty and Jen Moore, Latin American program coordinator for MiningWatch, Canada, on the street outside the Cusco Cultural Center and forced them into a vehicle without a warrant. They were taken to the immigration office in Cusco. In a statement released early Monday, Mining Watch, Canada detailed Mr. Dougherty and Ms. Moore’s unlawful apprehension.
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"What does Hudbay have to hide from Peruvians?: MiningWatch Canada Staff Member, US Journalist Arbitrarily Detained in Peru over Documentary About Hudbay Minerals’ Operations"
…At about 8:20pm on the night of Friday April 22, MiningWatch Canada’s Latin America Program Coordinator Jen Moore and US journalist John Dougherty were arbitrarily detained in Cusco, Peru after a successful public event screening a documentary film about Hudbay Minerals’ operations in Canada, the US, Guatemala and Peru. The two were surrounded by 15 to 20 national police officers, many in plain clothes, and a handful of migration officers, and taken into custody…Moore and Dougherty were then questioned about their immigration status and informed that their activities – showing a film and engaging in discussion with people about it – were not permitted under their tourist visas. They were released four hours later with an order to appear in court today to be charged.
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"Peru evaluates expelling two foreigners for 'inciting' anti-mine protests"
Peruvian police are evaluating the possible expulsion of two foreigners for "inciting" rural communities to protest against the Hudbay Minerals mining company, which owns a copper mine in the nation, the country's interior ministry said on Sunday…The police, the ministry said, had requested documents from U.S. citizen John Dougherty, 61, and Canadian citizen Jennifer Moore, 42, who entered Peru earlier in April while claiming to be tourists…Hudbay temporarily suspended operations at its Constancia mine in November, in the midst of protests by rural Peruvians, who blocked highways demanding development projects such as schools they said the company had committed to building.
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Australia doesn't need Adani's Carmichael coalmine, Westpac chief says
The Adani Carmichael coalmine is not needed to support the economy, the Westpac chief executive [Brian Hartzer] has said in defence of his bank's decision not to finance the mine....Westpac's decision to set a climate policy...was based on its acceptance that climate change should be limited to 2C by 2050...Hartzer said the bank's advice was that "all the coal that is required to support the economy between now and 2050 can be met by mines in existing basins". "Given the long timeframes associated with opening up new basins, we therefore said we don't think we need to support that." Asked about resources and the northern Australia minister Matt Canavan's call for a boycott of Westpac, Hartzer said it was a "free country – people can say what they like"...He noted Westpac supported four coalmines and coal infrastructure in north Queensland and would support the extension of existing mines. "It's not a policy targeted on any particular area. It's a policy designed to take a pragmatic step, based on the science, to do our part ... to lead towards a low-emission economy."...
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Africa: Columnist says political will necessary for successful implementation of proposed policy on business & human rights
"Why the African Union must press ahead with a business and human rights policy"
The African Union (AU) is developing a policy designed to hold companies to account by setting down guidelines on how they should conduct business on the continent. The aim of the policy is to implement a set of guiding principles drawn up by the United Nations. It will provide a roadmap for states, regional economic communities and regional institutions to regulate the impact of business activities on people. The policy also seeks to advance guidance for firms conducting activities in Africa...
The AU’s policy is a right step towards ensuring business upholds human rights. But it’s only the start of a long journey towards deepening a culture of respect for human rights among businesses in Africa...A number of key steps need to be taken if the policy is to become a reality. First, sufficient resources must be made available to make sure its implemented by both states and regional bodies. Secondly, states must drive policy implementation with the political will to regulate businesses within their territories. And finally institutions must be strengthened at all levels of implementation including national, regional and continental levels. [refers to Coca-Cola, Shell, ENI & Agro EcoEnergy. Agro EcoEnergy has in the past responded to concerns against its operations in Tanzania. The response in available here]
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Tanzania: Govt. regulatory agency shuts down FBME bank over claims of complicity in terrorism
"Tanzanian bank FBME shut down over US terror funding charges"
Tanzania has shut down one of the country's largest banking institutions, FBME, following charges of aiding the finance of terrorism by US authorities. A statement from the central bank said it had revoked its licence. It was accused in the US of, among other things, money laundering and facilitating the payment of thousands of dollars from a financier of the Lebanese Hezbollah Islamist militants.
In its defence, the bank said it had boosted anti-money laundering measures. FBME was set up in Cyprus before moving its headquarters to Tanzania in 2003. The US Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) had made the original accusations of the links with Hezbollah. FBME was placed under the management of Tanzania's central bank in 2014 following the FinCEN allegations, Reuters news agency reports. The bank then mounted a legal challenge against the allegations saying that it had complied with regulations. A US court however ruled in favour of FinCEN in April, allowing it to shut the bank out of accessing the US financial system.
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Tanzania: Govt. regulatory agency shuts down FBME bank over complicity in terror claims
"Tanzanian bank FBME shut down over US terror funding charges"
Tanzania has shut down one of the country's largest banking institutions, FBME, following charges of aiding the finance of terrorism by US authorities. A statement from the central bank said it had revoked its licence. It was accused in the US of, among other things, money laundering and facilitating the payment of thousands of dollars from a financier of the Lebanese Hezbollah Islamist militants.
In its defence, the bank said it had boosted anti-money laundering measures. FBME was set up in Cyprus before moving its headquarters to Tanzania in 2003. The US Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) had made the original accusations of the links with Hezbollah. FBME was placed under the management of Tanzania's central bank in 2014 following the FinCEN allegations, Reuters news agency reports. The bank then mounted a legal challenge against the allegations saying that it had complied with regulations. A US court however ruled in favour of FinCEN in April, allowing it to shut the bank out of accessing the US financial system.
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Partnerships to End Forced Labour in Supply Chains conference
Click here to register and for agenda outline.
The Consumer Goods Forum, in partnership with the International Labour Organization and the U.S. Department of Labor, is convening an event with high-level representatives from companies, governments, international organisations and civil society to work on one of the most pressing global challenges today: tackling forced labour in global supply chains. The conference will take place at the InterContinental Hotel in Berlin on 20th June 2017.
The event will examine promising practices, strategies, challenges and ultimately work to provide solutions, including the CGF Priority Industry Principles, to ensure we move forward together on this collective journey.
A detailed programme including speakers and a breakdown of all sessions will be communicated in the coming weeks.
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New report assessing 74 of world's largest companies of human rights reporting stresses need to identify salient human rights issues
Human Rights Reporting: Are Companies Telling Investors What They Need to Know?, May 2017
...Our key finding is about the most critical area for improvement: over half of companies provide no clarification about which human rights are most relevant to their operations and value chains. Instead, these companies just refer to certain human rights related issues without any apparent rationale...In addition to this top finding, we see a story emerging about various – and for some companies cumulative – failures in the governance of human rights risks, at least based on their disclosure: Lack of oversight: 45% of the companies reviewed do not clearly identify who is responsible and accountable for managing human rights risks.
Lack of clarity about internal controls: approximately 90% of the companies do not have a coherent narrative about how risk or impact assessments inform mitigation actions taken, how decisions are made or if senior management is ever involved.
Total silence on governance: 16% of the companies provide no information at all about governance of human rights, nor even about governance of broader issues such as “sustainability” or “corporate social responsibility.”
Finally, when we look to actual outcomes, fully 45 percent of companies provide no information whatsoever about how they track their performance on human rights – leaving readers in the dark about whether any of their efforts translate into positive outcomes for people...
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Blog: Los derechos humanos y las empresas: reflexiones desde América Latina
La aparición hace algunos días de la versión digital (y muy pronto de la versión impresa) de la obra colectiva Los derechos humanos y las empresas: reflexiones desde América Latina, publicada por el Instituto Interamericano de Derechos Humanos, y que tuve la gran fortuna de editar y dirigir, con la participación de 26 expertas y expertos de los distintos países de la región, se da en un momento particularmente crucial; en una suerte de carrefour a nivel mundial, pero que sobre todo en la región ha encontrado un contexto complejo. Explico a continuación por qué.
Hace algunos días, la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos publicó su Plan estratégico 2017-2021; en él señala las distintas temáticas que pretende abordar en el próximo quinquenio, y me parece particularmente relevante destacar que se ubique la temática de la responsabilidad de las empresas en materia de derechos humanos en el espectro de acción de la nueva Relatoría Especial sobre derechos económicos, sociales y culturales. Desde luego, en América Latina esta cuestión ha sido una de las grandes áreas donde se han producido impactos negativos en los derechos humanos, incluyendo la afectación a las formas de vida, al agua, a la alimentación o al medio ambiente, y como consecuencia de ello, a la salud y a la vida digna. Varias de las aportaciones de la obra lo destacan, y numerosos casos en prácticamente todos los países de la región son de conocimiento público. El Plan estratégico señala también la intención de la Comisión de continuar trabajando sobre la línea de los Principios Rectores de la ONU sobre las empresas y los derechos humanos.
Es aquí donde cabe cuestionar la lógica de focalizar todo el trabajo de este importante organismo regional en una sola relatoría, siendo que los propios Principios Rectores reconocen la posibilidad de las empresas de impactar negativamente todos los derechos humanos. No se debe dejar de subrayar –como lo hace el Business & Human Rights Resource Centre semana tras semana– el enorme riesgo y amenazas a las que constantemente están sujetas las personas que defienden el derecho a la tierra o al medio ambiente sano, a quienes se expresan para manifestar su oposición a proyectos de desarrollo que impactan en sus tierras, o a aquellas personas que se oponen a ser desplazados de sus localidades con motivo de las operaciones de industrias extractivas. En la criminalización de la protesta, la persecución de los defensores y defensoras de derechos humanos, o en las restricciones a la libertad de expresión y de reunión, se puede observar cómo los derechos civiles también pueden ser directamente afectados en el contexto de las actividades empresariales. Vemos aquí una clara muestra de la interrelación, interdependencia e indivisibilidad de los derechos humanos, que debería ser la brújula que oriente las acciones de la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (y de otros organismos internacionales). Transversalizar, más que focalizar (aunque dicha Relatoría Especial esté a cargo de las principales líneas de acción en el tema), será necesario para fomentar una protección adecuada de los derechos humanos ante los impactos negativos provocados por el sector empresarial en el continente. En ese sentido, la contribución a esta obra colectiva sobre el Sistema Interamericano de Derechos Humanos es una importante aportación sobre algunas áreas de oportunidad para la Comisión y la Corte en materia de derechos humanos y empresas.
Por otra parte, podemos observar cómo la temática comienza a permear la estructura y proyectos a nivel nacional, aunque con distintos enfoques. En ese sentido, la publicación del Plan de Acción Nacional sobre Derechos Humanos y Empresa de Colombia, así como los trabajos desarrollados en otras naciones latinoamericanas (Chile, México, Guatemala, entre otros) para ese mismo fin, contrasta con el llamado en la Asamblea General de la Organización de Estados Americanos de 2016 a tomar también en consideración otros proyectos de desarrollo normativo internacional, en específico la discusión del instrumento internacional jurídicamente vinculante sobre la responsabilidad de las empresas en materia de derechos humanos que tiene lugar en el Consejo de Derechos Humanos de la ONU. La tercera sesión, que tendrá lugar a final de octubre de 2017, marcará el comienzo de las negociaciones sobre un proyecto de texto (documento de “elementos”, como señala la resolución 26/9), un espacio en donde ha sido posible observar cierta reticencia de los Estados a participar activamente en las discusiones. Ciertamente, el compromiso con el respeto y la protección de los derechos humanos no excluye a aquellas violaciones que resulten de las operaciones o actividades del sector empresarial, por lo que, en un ejercicio de coherencia política, los Estados latinoamericanos deberían participar de buena fe en las discusiones y negociaciones de ese grupo de trabajo intergubernamental. En ese sentido, las contribuciones en el libro sobre el inicio del Grupo de Trabajo intergubernamental, y sobre las experiencias recientes en la materia a nivel internacional, permitirán al lector tener un amplio panorama de la discusión a nivel global, previo al análisis regional que se desarrolla en la segunda y tercera partes de la obra colectiva.
Es en este contexto –en esta encrucijada– en la que los distintos capítulos de esta obra colectiva se insertan. Las perspectivas nacionales sobre distintos Estados de la región (sobre México, Argentina, Brasil, Ecuador, Perú o Colombia, por ejemplo) van de la mano de los estudios temáticos que abordan varios desafíos a los que se enfrentan tanto los países –en su deber de protección– como las personas y comunidades que en ellos habitan. Así, la obra aborda el papel de los Planes de Acción Nacional en el marco de la justicia transicional; el rol que necesariamente deben desempeñar las instituciones nacionales de derechos humanos; la protección de estos y su lugar en el contexto de los arbitrajes de inversión; los defensores de derechos humanos y su papel en este ámbito; los derechos de los pueblos indígenas ante las actividades extractivas, o incluso el papel que debe desempeñar el derecho internacional privado para aportar respuestas concretas a los desafíos jurisdiccionales y legislativos que tienen lugar en la mayoría de estos casos, particularmente cuando se convierten en litigios con enfoques transnacionales o de extraterritorialidad. La discusión de estas temáticas desde una perspectiva regional es sumamente importante para desarrollar análisis y críticas que contribuyan, así sea de forma modesta, a la construcción de una identidad y de una perspectiva regional sobre el impacto de las operaciones empresariales en el goce y disfrute de los derechos humanos en América Latina.
Aprovecho nuevamente esta oportunidad para expresar mi agradecimiento al Instituto Interamericano de Derechos Humanos por acoger este proyecto, y por el esmero y cuidado en el proceso de edición; a los autores y autoras, por su dedicación y voluntad para participar en esta iniciativa; y al Business and Human Rights Resource Centre, por su incansable labor para promover la protección y el respeto de los derechos humanos en el contexto de las actividades empresariales, así como por su participación en esta obra y por su apoyo para difundirla.
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México: Locales protestan contra parque eólico por supuesto incumplimiento de acuerdo con EDF mediante bloqueo; 11 son detenidos por la policía
ONG y comunidades interpusieron un recurso legal en contra un proyecto eólico en Oaxaca por la supuesta falta del derecho a la consulta. Adicionalmente, locales bloquearon la carretera y la entrada al parque por el supuesto incumplimiento de acuerdos por parte de la empresa. La policia detuvo a 11 personas y las acusó de extorsión.
El Centro de Información sobre Empresas y Derechos Humanos invitó a EDF a responder; la respuesta está disponible aquí.
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Respuesta de Fyffes
…Tras una investigación por la queja presentada ante la iniciativa británica (apoyada por el gobierno) la Iniciativa por el Comercio Ético [ Ethical Trade Initiative (ETI)] sobre las condiciones en las operaciones de melón de Fyyffes en Honduras; ETI concluyó, recientemente, que las alegaciones contenidas en la queja no estaban fundadas en hechos. En particular, ETI aceptó el reporte del Ministerio de Trabajo de Honduras confirmando que la nómina de la empresa cumplía con las leyes locales. Con relación a las alegaciones relacionadas con la salud y la seguridad de los trabajadores, concluyeron que el incidente citado fue un accidente y que la empresa había respondido de una forma adecuada…Como parte del proceso ETI, Fyffes se comprometió a trabajar con la Unión Internacional de Trabajadores de la Alimentación [International Union of Food Workers (IUF)] para llegar a un marco mutuamente aceptable para colaborar en la exploración de opciones para crear representación legal y efectiva…Han circulado reportes, en semanas recientes, sobre el incidente que se dice tuvo lugar en Cholteca, el jueves 13 de abril, cuando dos hombres locales fueron atacados y robados…Las víctimas dicen que fueron amenazadas por sus atacantes como resultado de su actividad sindical. Algunos de estos reportes han insinuado que Fyffes y Suragroh están de alguna forma relacionados con el incidente. Esta sugerencia carece de fundamento y es tanto reprochable, como altamente irresponsable…
[Esta es una traducción no oficial del Centro de Información sobre Empresas y Derechos Humanos; la respuesta completa está disponible solamente en inglés aquí]
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Honduras: Sindicatos denuncian abusos laborales y a la libertad de asociación, en plantaciones de melones de Fyffes (parte de Somitomo)
Sindicatos y ONG reportaron abusos laborales en las plantaciones de melón de Fyffes en Hondruas. En abril de 2017, se reportó un ataque contra Moisés Sánchez, Secretario general de la subseccional del Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Agroindustria y Similares (STAS), y su hermano. De acuerdo con Moisés, dicho ataque podría estar vinculado a su defensa de los derechos laborales.
El Centro de Información sobre Empresas y Derechos Humanos invitó a Fyffes y a Sumitomo a responder. Un resumen en español de la respuesta de Fyffes está dispobible aquí; la respuesta completa en inglés está disponible aquí.
Aún estamos a la espera de la respuesta de Sumitomo.
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Fyffes response
…Following an investigation of a complaint to UK Government-backed Ethical Trade Initiative (ETI) regarding conditions in Fyffes Honduran melon operations, ETI has recently concluded that the allegations contained in the complaint were factually unfounded. In particular, ETI accepted a report from the Honduran Ministry of Labour confirming that company payrolls were in full compliance with local laws. With regard to allegations related to the health and safety of workers they concluded that the incident cited was an accident and the company had responded in an appropriate way…As part of the ETI process, Fyffes has given a commitment to work with the International Union of Food Workers (IUF) to reach a mutually agreeable framework for engagement to explore options aimed at creating effective and legal representation…Reports have been circulating in recent weeks regarding an incident which is said to have occurred in Choluteca on Thursday, 13 April when two local men were attacked and robbed. The victims claim to have been threatened by their attackers as a result of union activity. Some of these reports have implied that Fyffes and Suragroh were in some way linked to the incident. This suggestion is without foundation and is both reprehensible and highly irresponsible…
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Honduras: Unions & NGOs denounce labour abuses, incl. attacks on freedom of association, at plantations of Fyffes (part of Sumitomo); with company response
In 2016 and 2017, Unions and NGOs reported on labour abuses in melon plantations in Honduras, including freedom of association. In April 2017, they reported an attack against Moisés Sánchez, Secretary General of the sub-section of the Union of Agroindustrial Workers and his brother. According to Moisés the attacks could be linked to Moisés activism.
The Business and Human Rights Resource Centre invited Fyffes and Sumitomo to respond; Fyffes response is available here. We are still waiting for Sumitomo´s response.
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Respuesta de EDF
EDF EN México, una subsidiaria de EDF Energies Nouvelles, opera varios parques eólicos en el país en cumplimiento con la regulación y las mejores prácticas sociales y ambientales, y está comprometida con el diálogo abierto con las comunidades locales. El 21 de febrero de 2017, un grupo de propietarios de la tierra bloqueó el acceso a uno de los parques eólicos de EDF EN México, Eoliatec del Pacífico (“EDP”), localizado en la comunidad de Santo Domingo y pidió el pago de cuotas para detener el bloqueo. Antes de la instalación del parque eólico de EDF, se llevaron a cabo consultas habituales y justas. Acuerdos de renta entre los propietarios de la tierra y EDF EN México establecieron compromisos contractuales que siempre se han respetado por parte de la empresa. EDF EN México, apoyada por el comité de propietarios de la tierra, mantiene un diálogo con un grupo de propietarios de tierra y hace todos los esfuerzos posibles para llegar a una solución con ellos. Tras el bloqueo al parque eólico de EDF la policía estatal de Oaxaca decidió arrestar a 11 propietarios de la tierra para garantizar el orden público, sin la intervención de EDF EN México. Sin el apoyo de la comunidad local, el grupo de propietarios de la tierra finalmente finalizó el bloqueó.
[Esta es una traducción no oficial del Centro de Información sobre Empresas y Derechos Humanos; la respuesta completa solamente disponible en inglés está disponible aquí].
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Modern Slavery Registry launches new website, powered by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
Business & Human Rights Resource Centre today launches Modern Slavery Registry, a redesigned version of our registry of statements made by companies under the UK Modern Slavery Act which we have maintained since February 2016. There are now 1860 statements from companies in 27 sectors, headquartered in 29 countries. Users can:
Search statements by company name, sector and country of HQ
See what countries statements are coming from with a dynamic map
Submit statements which will then go to be reviewed by a researcher to be added to the Registry (a feature requested by companies and civil society alike)
Download all the data from the registry in one click
Help spread the word: You can follow Modern Slavery Registry on twitter at @ModSlaveryReg and we have launched Headtalker campaign to help amplify outgoing communications this week, you can support us there.
What people are saying: Since we started collecting statements in 2016 our registry has received great coverage and feedback. The Financial Times, Wall Street Journal and many industry publications have used and written about our registry. Here is what our supporters have said:
Transparency is an important tool to drive responsible corporate behaviour and good governance. The Registry is a useful resource to help investors, commentators, the public and companies themselves to understand the progress business is making in upholding vital human rights and consigning slavery to the history books where it belongs.
Jo Swinson, Business Minister 2012-15
This registry is an important tool for journalists who are monitoring company statements under the Act. It is critical that these statements are accessible in one place so we can identify companies that aren't meeting the mark in eradicating slavery.
Josh Boswell, Investigative Journalist, The Times
This Registry is a fantastic resource for everyone in business, civil society and government wanting to eradicate modern slavery. Walk Free's millions of activists can now use the Registry to review companies' efforts and we will be highlighting the better-informed company statements as examples of analysis and commitment to be emulated.
Joanna Ewart-James, Advocacy Director, Freedom United
Modern Slavery Registry is powered by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, and guided by a governance committee which includes: Freedom Fund, Humanity United, Freedom United, Anti-Slavery International, the Ethical Trading Initiative, CORE Coalition, UNICEF UK, Focus on Labour Exploitation, and Oxfam GB.
Plans for the future: In the coming weeks, we will be building new features to the website and would love to hear your feedback and ideas.
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