Swedwatch webinar on public procurement and minerals in electronics
Swedwatch Webinar: Public procurement and minerals in electronics – Safeguarding human rights due diligence in supply chains of minerals used in ICT, 19 January 2020.
Swedwatch highlights real cost of affordable medicine
Swedwatch joined an online dialogue this month hosted by the European Parliament’s MEP Interest Group on Antimicrobial Resistance and argued for greater transparency and increased accountability in pharmaceutical supply chains.
Swedwatch urges investors to support defenders as pandemic adds to dangers
Human rights and environmental defenders play a key role in contributing to upholding democracy and sustainable development. Investors should prioritise support to them, says a new Swedwatch policy briefing which underlines the added impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on their safety.
- High-risk and conflict areas
- Vulnerable groups
- Climate and environment
- Community rights
- Public procurement
- Labour rights
High-risk and conflict areas
In areas where there is war or conflict, or where the state is weak, there is a higher risk of human rights violations. Companies active in such areas need to know and act responsibly on these risks.
Read more about High-risk and conflict areasVulnerable groups
Some groups, for example children, indigenous peoples or migrant workers run a higher risk than others of being adversely affected by companies’ activities. Whoever they are, companies have a duty to respect their special rights.
Read more about Vulnerable groupsClimate and environment
Climate and environment are closely linked to human rights. Companies have a responsibility to know how they affect the climate and the environment, and to make sure that they do not contribute to environmental degradation and climate change.
Read more about Climate and environmentCommunity rights
Forced displacement in connection with new land-related projects is common and in breach with several human rights. People who depend on family farming might end up losing their homes and incomes when forced to move.
Read more about Community rightsPublic procurement
Swedish municipalities, county councils and government authorities procure goods worth more than 63 billion euros annually. A large portion are manufactured or grown in countries where there is a high risk of negative impacts on human rights and the environment.
Read more about Public procurementLabour rights
There is a high risk of employees’ rights being abused in global supply chains. Guaranteeing good working conditions is a substantial and important part of companies’ responsibilities in terms of respecting human rights.
Read more about Labour rights