Latest news
3 May 2013
The Bangladesh garment building disaster has prompted western clothing brands, and also consumers to consider their shared responsibility. Some western clothing brands that were having items made there have promised financial compensation for the deaths. The European Union is reconsidering trade arrangements, and it is reported that ‘some consumers feel confused over whether they should feel a shared responsibility because of their low-price shopping habits.’
Bangladesh worst ever industrial accident (the third deadly accident in recent months) has killed over 433 people. Both the EU and the US, which are major importers, have pressured Bangladesh to raise the standards. Factory owners in Bangladesh as well as western apparel retailers have faced intense pressure from governments, consumers and labour groups to improve workplace safety.
Source: The New York Times | Bangladesh Fears an Exodus of Apparel Firms
Source: Euronews | Bangladesh workers dying for lack of responsible regulation
2 May 2013
Jérôme Reymond has recently published the book L’attribution de comportements d’organes de facto et d’agents de l’Etat en droit international – Etude sur la responsabilité internationale des Etats (Schulthess, 2013).
This book on international state responsibility seeks to establish the precise scope of the rules on attribution of conduct of de facto organs and state agents under international law.
Source: Schulthess | L'attribution de comportements d'organes de facto et d'agents de l'Etat en droit international | Jérôme Reymond | 2013
2 May 2013
A draft law was agreed on by EU Council and Parliament representatives, and endorsed by the Civil Liberties Committee on Wednesday 24 April 2013.
To reduce disparities in the asylum procedures among EU member states, Council and Parliament have agreed to review the Asylum Procedures Directive (2005) to harmonise procedural guarantees for asylum seekers. Asylum seekers would get fairer, more uniform access to international protection across the European Union under this new law. Also, special guarantees for vulnerable persons and deadlines for EU states to process an asylum application have been inserted.
This draft law is part of the backbone of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS), which will be put to a plenary vote in June. In order to enter into force, the draft text needs to receive backing of the member states and confirmation by the Parliament, which might happen in June.
Source: European Parliament Press Release | Civil Liberties Committee backs plan to improve asylum procedures
30 April 2013
The SHARES Project closely follows and collects news items that are linked to the topic of shared responsibility. This is our ‘SHARES News Items Overview: 16-30 April 2013′ consisting of a summary of recent news relating to shared responsibility. (more…)
30 April 2013
The Arctic Athabaskan Council filed a petition on black carbon emissions with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Ruth Massie, the Grand Chief of the Yukon Council of First Nations, and member of the council representing First Nations in Alaska, Yukon and N.W.T., would like the Commission to declare that Canada is violating the human rights of Athabaskan peoples because of the inadequate regulation of emissions on black carbon, or soot, in the Arctic.
Canada should make black carbon emissions a priority, since the Arctic is warming fast and scientists think that reducing black carbon emissions is the most important way to slow climate change in the Arctic, according to Massie.
Source: CBC News | First Nation group files petition on black carbon emissions