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Last Update: December 26, 2007
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Tens of Thousands March …
Again to Oppose Botnia Pulp Mill
Argentine-Uruguayan Border. April 27, 2008 - In yet another public expression of resistance to international corporate insensitivity to popular opinion, tens of thousands braved a torrential downpour, and marched against the BOTNIA pulp mill company from Finland, owner of one of Latin America's largest and most controversial pulp mills ever.
Northeast Gas pipeline: Public Hearings begin without providing the participation of Aboriginal groups directly impacted by the project
April, 2008 - In the context of follow-up of mega infrastructure projects for the development of the Initiative for the Integration of Regional Infrastructure in South America (IIRSA), the Centre for Human Rights and Environment attended the public hearing on the Gas pipeline of the Northeast in Argentina (GNEA), developed the recent April 17 in the town of Presidente Saenz Pena, in the province of Chaco.
UN Special Representative Releases Report on Human Rights and Business Calling for New UN Policy Framework to Address Corporate Abuse of Human Rights
April 18, 2008 . John Ruggie, the UN Special Representative on Human Rights and Business released his long awaited report this week calling for a new 3-pronged international policy framework to govern corporate accountability in the area of human rights.
A great contribution to the defense of Human Rights and the Environment
Resolution of the UN appointed expert working on the promotion of Human Rights and Access to Safe Water and Sanitation.
April, 2008 - The Human Rights Council of the United Nations (HRC), adopted by consensus a resolution that establishes the appointment of a new independent expert engaged in the promotion of human rights and obligations in the area of access to safe water and sanitation. |
CEDHA at the annual meeting of the Inter-American Development Bank in Miami
The Centre for Human Rights and Environment (CEDHA) is participating in the annual meeting of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) as part of the activities in its Global Governance program, in which it is looking to strengthen and guarantee human rights and the protection of the environment in the projects, investments and political operations of the International Financial Institutions.
Record 2007 IDB Lending Comes at Expense of Environment, Communities
Bank Fueling Climate Change; Promotes Fossil Fuels and Deforestation
Miami, FL — As the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) today announced record lending of $9.6 billion in 2007, environmental and human rights groups warned that the milestone had come at the expense of the environment and communities.
UN Adopts Resolution on Climate Change and Human Rights
April 4, 2008 - The UN Human Rights Council adopted last week, a resolution entitled: “Human Rights and Climate Change”, establishing that “climate change poses an immediate and far-reaching threat to people and communities around the world” and risks impeding the full realization of Human Rights.
- Press Release.
- Text of the resolution
President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner Addresses Nation on Soyification of Agriculture
In the midst of a standoff with soy farmers, who took to the street after she announced a tax hike for Argentina's soy production to 45% of export revenues, President Cristina Kirchner spoke to the nation to outline the reasons for the recent soytax measures, which include, curbing the unsustainable trends of GMO soy production, balancing farm production to cover local consumption needs in staple crops and produce such as meat, poultry, wheat and corn, instead of favoring export markets, slowing irrational deforestation and redistributing wealth.
Argentina Increases Taxes on Soy Exports
Environmentalists Welcome Measure while Soy Farmers Take to Streets
March 29, 2008 - Buenos Aires. The Argentine government, headed by newly elected president Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, announced a historic tax hike last week bringing retentions on soy exports to 44% from the previous 35% withholding.
Botnia Directors Skip Court Date in Criminal Complaint
Entre Ríos – Argentina . Ronald Beare, Oy Metsa Botnia's Director of Uruguayan Operations, failed to appear in court today in Argentina to face criminal charges that he and other top Botnia Directors are guilty of intent to commit environmental crimes , based on the alleged risks and illegality of the controversial pulp mill Botnia constructed on the border river between Uruguay and Argentina.
Pulp Fiction: The Botnia War
Pulp Mill CEO Erkki Varis says He's Famous Thanks to Conflict and Favors Private Investment over Social Conflict
March 7, 2008 – Montevideo Uruguay. In the midst of an ongoing 500 day strong international roadblock because of a controversial Finnish pulp mill built recently on the Argentine-Uruguayan border, the now infamous pulp mill CEO Erkki Varis met with Uruguayan President, Tabaret Vasquez and financial institutions in Uruguay, and claims he's famous thanks to the conflict his multimillion dollar pulp mill has caused, but Varis claims he doesn't regret one bit what the company has done.
Breaking News on SHELL
International Development Finance Collapses for Controversial Oil and Gas Project by Shell
The US Export Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank) and the UK Export Credit Guarantee Department (ECGD) announced their withdrawal from Sakhalin, a contentious oil and gas project, sponsored by Shell, off the east coast of Russia. Dow Jones reported that Sakhalin Energy's decision to withdraw financing was due to “serious concerns over possible delays” in financing.
Botnia Plagued by Worker Protests and Growing Unemployment in Fray Bentos related to the Mill
March 4, 2008 – Fray Bentos Uruguay . The promises of the Finnish work ethic, responsible business practices, environmental soundness and economic bonanza are fading fast for workers and residents of Fray Bentos who trusted the Finnish Pulp giant Botnia's promises that what would be Latin America's largest pulp mill, would bring benefits to everyone
PULP FICTION and Corporate Surrealism
Finnish Pulp Mill CEO Errki Varis Heads Festivities in Sham to Cover up Unrest and Conflict
Fray Bentos Uruguay – March 1 st , 2008 – Finnish pulp mill CEO Erkki Varis, of Oy Metsa Botnia , finally got to cut the ribbon of his new billion-dollar pulpmill toy, throwing himself a party this weekend at one of the world's most conflictive corporate conflict sites, Fray Bentos Uruguay.
