186 results
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Beyond social auditing: Key considerations for mandating effective due diligence
To realise its potential, the EU Sustainable Corporate Governance Initiative must drive action beyond the mechanical tick-box exercise which has characterised too many companies’ approaches to their duty of care to workers and communities. This briefing outlines starting points for mandating effective due diligence for policymakers and legislators.
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Hearing the human: Ensuring due diligence legislation effectively amplifies the voices of those affected by irresponsible business
The EU’s Sustainable Corporate Governance Initiative, including mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence, offers an opportunity to prioritise environmental protection, human rights and long-term business sustainability, including the safety of human rights defenders (HRDs). We discussed safe and effective engagement with over 60 HRDs and developed recommendations to the European Commission, EU Parliament and Council of the EU.
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Dubai Expo 2020: As the UAE prepares for the Expo, how are workers in the UAE impacted by labour abuse?
On 1 October the Dubai EXPO, a six-month international fair which expects to welcome 25 million visitors, will open in the United Arab Emirates. Our data shows migrant workers across the country continue to suffer severe and frequent labour abuse. This snapshot breaks down allegations of labour abuse in the UAE from 2016-2021.
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Social audit liability: Hard law strategies to redress weak social assurances
The social audit industry has rightly come under increasing scrutiny for its role in sustaining tolerance of human rights abuse in company supply chains. This year’s Corporate Legal Accountability Briefing explores opportunities and challenges for holding social audit firms legally accountable for human rights harm.
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"Going out" responsibly: The human rights impact of China's global investments
As Chinese businesses – particularly energy, construction, and mining and metals companies – continue to venture abroad, civil society and the media have reported an unfortunate increase in social, environmental and human rights violations. Between 2013 and 2020, we recorded 679 human rights abuse allegations linked to Chinese business conduct abroad, and 102 company responses to these allegations.
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Renewable energy (in)justice in Latin America
Renewable energy plays a crucial role in our shift to a net-zero carbon future, but human rights risks and violations linked to the sector pose a threat to our efforts to address the climate crisis. Between 2010 and 2020, we recorded 501 cases of abuse linked to renewable energy development across Mexico, Central and South America, accounting for over 2,300 allegations of human rights abuse perpetrated by 156 renewable energy companies operating in 17 countries.
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Checked Out: Migrant worker abuse in Qatar's World Cup luxury hotels
In our second survey of the sector, we invited 19 hotel companies, representing more than 100 global brands with over 80 properties across Qatar, to participate in a second survey on their approach to safeguarding migrant workers’ rights in the country. Answers by hotel brands show they have failed to take necessary action to protect migrant workers, who suffer serious abuses.
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A Crucial Gap: The Limits to Official Data on Attacks Against Defenders and Why It's Concerning
Violence against human rights defenders (HRDs), especially those defending land, natural resources and the environment, has been exacerbated in the context of COVID. To create an enabling environment for HRDs and ensure their protection, all threats, attacks and killings must be documented and monitored by a competent national authority. SDG Indicator 16.10.1, which records killings and attacks on HRDs is the primary indicator of global enjoyment of these fundamental freedoms in the SDG framework. ALLIED Data Working group's report examines government reporting on this indicator and finds it remains extremely scarce.
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SLAPPed but not silenced: Defending human rights in the face of legal risks
First-ever global analysis of lawsuits which bear the hallmarks of SLAPPs brought or initiated by business actors reveals this tactic is used in every region of the world to intimidate people into silence.
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