29.11.2020
Majority of voters in favour of more corporate responsibility, but majority of cantons against it
The initiators of the Responsible Business Initiative are pleased about the majority of the popular vote of 50.7%, but disappointed that the majority of the cantons could not be obtained. Today, the corporate lobby has prevailed, unfortunately also thanks to false allegations.
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23.06.2020
High time for Swiss referendum on the Responsible Business Initiative as parliament dumps compromise proposal
The European Coalition for Corporate Justice regrets the latest parliamentary developments in Switzerland and note with surprise that Swiss parliament adopted regulation that has been officially acknowledged as not being fit for purpose by the European Commission in recent months.
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04.06.2020
Parliament dumps compromise proposal, the public will have final say on initiative
A conciliation committee recommended a fig leaf proposal for approval by parliament. Multinationals such as Glencore or Syngenta would not be held responsible for damages they cause, they could simply publish a yearly report on glossy paper.
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26.05.2020
SUPPORT FOR THE RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS INITIATIVE CONTINUES TO GROW
A survey conducted between 5 and 12 May 2020 shows: Today, 78% of eligible voters would vote in favour of the Responsible Business Initiative. This means that the approval rate remains constant compared to the results of February 2020.
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16.03.2020
Glencore responsible for serious skin injuries in Chad
Investigations have revealed that Glencore has caused an environmental disaster in Chad: Chemicals from the petroleum production are poisoning a river. This causes large burn blisters on the skin of both children and adults and livestock perishes.
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04.03.2020
National Council sticks with compromise proposal
The National Council leaves the door open for a political compromise. The ball is back in the court of the Council of States
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04.02.2020
Swiss pesticide poisons farmers in India
In Yavatmal in central India, about 800 agricultural labourers were severely poisoned within a few weeks when they applied pesticides to cotton fields.
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17.01.2020
Business and Human Rights: Switzerland’s new yet incomplete action plan
On January 16th 2020, Switzerland's National Action Plan (NAP) 2020-2023 on the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights was adopted. A detailed analysis of this NAP can be found here.
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14.06.2018
Compromise remains open
The National Council decided today to accept the counter-proposal to the Responsible Business Initiative.
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20.04.2018
Legal Affairs Committee proposes indirect counter-proposal
In the frame of the revision of the Swiss Corporation Law, the Legal Affairs Committee of the National Council proposes legal measures against human rights violations and non-compliance with international environmental standards by corporations based in Switzerland.
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14.11.2017
Parliamentarian Committee recognizes the necessity to act and calls for an indirect counter-proposal
The Legal Affairs Committee (“the Committee”) of the Swiss Parliament’s Council of States has acknowledges that human rights violations perpetrated by Swiss based multinational companies are of great concern.
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15.09.2017
The Swiss Federal Council has published its message on the Swiss Responsible Business Initiative
On 15. September 2017, the Federal Council issued its official message on the Swiss Responsible Business Initiative.
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22.12.2016
Analysis of the Swiss National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights
Following the adoption of Switzerland’s National Action Plan on Business an Human Rights on December 9th 2016, the Swiss Coalition for Corporate Justice has published its analysis and comments.
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09.12.2016
Switzerland’s disappointing Action Plan
Over 5 years after the adoption of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, Switzerland finally published its implementation strategy. Although the National Action Plan (NAP)[1] recognizes the challenges at hand, only six new measures are foreseen.
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15.11.2016
Neither plan nor action
The Swiss President, Johann Schneider-Ammann, took part at this year’s UN Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva as a keynote speaker.
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10.10.2016
Swiss quality must include the protection of human rights and the environment
The Swiss Responsible Business Initiative will be presented to the Swiss authorities today. The 80 civil society organizations supporting the initiative share one common goal: Swiss quality must incorporate the protection of human rights and the environment.
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16.06.2016
Business and human rights: The world is still waiting for action
The international community adopted the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) in June 2011, pledging to address the adverse impacts of business activities. Five years later, progress has been minimal, writes Jerome Chaplier.
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18.05.2016
European Parliamentarians launched green card initiative to ensure corporate accountability
NGOs welcome support of European Parliamentarians for duty of care legislation of EU corporations towards people affected by their activities
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14.04.2016
Over 140’000 signatures for the Swiss Responsible Business Initiative
Less than a year after its launch, the Swiss Responsible Business Initiative has gathered the required number of signatures.
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21.04.2015
Global Business ? Global Responsibility !
Swiss companies that threaten human rights and the environment through their economic activities abroad must take responsibility. This is the message with which a broad coalition launches the Responsible Business Initiative today in Bern.
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13.03.2015
Conservative backlash blocks increased corporate accountability
Swiss parliament motion for mandatory human rights due diligence narrowly turned down.
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