Today the non-profit Business & Human Rights Resource Centre is launching its first annual briefing on Corporate Legal Accountability.

Download the 13-page briefing here

This briefing draws attention to the latest developments in lawsuits brought by victims against companies in Argentina, Bangladesh, Canada, China, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, France, Nigeria, South Africa, UK, USA and other countries.  The lawsuits include:

• lawsuits against CACI and L-3 over alleged involvement in torture at Abu Ghraib prison, Iraq;
• lawsuits against AngloGold Ashanti and other gold firms by miners suffering from silicosis;
• lawsuit against Amesys for involvement in surveillance by the Gaddafi government in Libya that allegedly led to the arrest and torture of opponents of Gaddafi’s rule; and
• lawsuit against Chevron over oil pollution in the Ecuadorian Amazon that contaminated local tribes’ water and allegedly caused illness.

Chris Avery, Director of Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, said:

“We are pleased to be launching this briefing – the first of its kind.  Human rights lawyers tell us how useful it is to see how cases from other countries are argued.  Businesspeople tell us how important it is to understand these lawsuits and to be aware of human rights risks.”

Sif Thorgeirsson, manager of the Resource Centre’s Corporate Legal Accountability Project, said:

“This briefing allows us to take a step back and look at the big picture – to flag key developments, trends and issues, including gaps in access to remedies for victims.  Governments are under pressure to address these gaps – the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations in 2011, call on states to take steps to ensure effective judicial mechanisms for victims of corporate abuses.”

The Centre’s researchers are based in Colombia, Hong Kong, India, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Senegal, South Africa, UK, Ukraine and USA.

In addition to the Corporate Legal Accountability Portal, the Resource Centre’s site features portals on:

• “Business & Children”
• “Business & Freedom of Association”
• “Business, Conflict & Peace”
• “Getting Started”
• “Tools & Guidance”
• “UN Special Representative on business & human rights”
• “UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights”
• “UN Working Group on business & human rights”

SUPPORT THE RESOURCE CENTRE: Please consider donating to Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, to enable us to continue our work on corporate legal accountability, and to offer our website, special portals, Weekly Updates and briefings to a global audience without any charge.  As we do not accept donations from companies or company foundations, in order to prevent any possible conflict of interest, donations from individuals and foundations are essential for our work to continue.

Donate online: http://www.business-humanrights.org/Aboutus/Makeadonation

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre

The Resource Centre is an independent non-profit that promotes greater awareness and informed debate about human rights issues relating to business. Our website is updated hourly with news and reports about companies’ social and environmental impacts worldwide, including alleged abuses, positive steps, and company responses to concerns raised about their conduct. The site has sections on over 4000 companies. It also includes special resources such as all materials issued by the UN Special Representative on business & human rights; a list of companies with human rights policies; profiles of lawsuits against companies. Mary Robinson is Chair of our International Advisory Network. Visit the website for further details and to sign up for free Weekly Updates. See website for contact details of our New York office and team members in Hong Kong, India, South Africa, UK, Ukraine, USA

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