PLoS: Are Drug Companies Living Up to Their Human Rights Responsibilities? Three Viewpoints

In 2008, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, Paul Hunt, made a report to the UN General Assembly (11 August 2008) The Right of Everyone to the Enjoyment of the Highest Attainable Standard of Physical and Mental Health: Report of the Special Rapporteur, Paul Hunt. U.N. General Assembly, 63rd Session, Agenda Item 67(b). U.N. Doc. A/63/263. See, http://www.essex.ac.uk/human_rights_cent​re/research/rth/index.aspx

In September 2010, PLoS Medicine published the following Debate on drug companies and their human rights obligations.

Are Drug Companies Living Up to Their Human Rights Responsibilities? Three Viewpoints

In September 2010, the PLoS Medicine Debate asks whether drug companies are living up to their human rights responsibilities. Sofia Gruskin and Zyde Raad from the Harvard School of Public Health say more assessment is needed of such responsibilities; Geralyn Ritter, Vice President of Global Public Policy and Corporate Responsibility at Merck & Co. argues that multiple stakeholders could do more to help States deliver the right to health; and Paul Hunt and Rajat Khosla introduce Mr. Hunt's work as the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to health (2002-2008), regarding the human rights responsibilities of pharmaceutical companies and access to medicines.


In their accompanying editorial, the PLoS Medicine Editors argue that drug companies should be held much more accountable for their human rights responsibilities.

Editorial

Drug Companies Should Be Held More Accountable for Their Human Rights Responsibilities

PLoS Hub for Clinical Trials, PLoS Medicine:
Published 28 Sep 2010 | info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000344

The PLoS Medicine Debates

• Are Drug Companies Living Up to Their Human Rights Responsibilities? Moving Toward Assessment
  
  Sofia Gruskin, Zyde Raad
  
  PLoS Hub for Clinical Trials, PLoS Medicine:
  Published 28 Sep 2010 | info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000310
  
  
• Are Drug Companies Living Up to Their Human Rights Responsibilities? The Merck Perspective
  
  Geralyn S. Ritter
  
  PLoS Hub for Clinical Trials, PLoS Medicine:
  Published 28 Sep 2010 | info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000343
  
  
• Are Drug Companies Living Up to Their Human Rights Responsibilities? The Perspective of the Former United Nations Special Rapporteur (2002-2008)
  
  Paul Hunt, Rajat Khosla
  
  PLoS Hub for Clinical Trials, PLoS Medicine:
  Published 28 Sep 2010 | info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000330
  

CALL FOR PAPERS: 2010 HUMAN RIGHTS ESSAY AWARD

The Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law

CALL FOR PAPERS

2010 HUMAN RIGHTS ESSAY AWARD
                                                                                     Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
American University Washington College of Law

The Academy is proud to announce the topic of the 2010 
Human Rights Essay Award.  This year’s topic for the 
essay in English is: “The Rights of Freedom of Expression 
and International Human Rights Law”.  Deadline for 
submissions is February 1, 2010.

About the Award

This annual competition seeks to stimulate the 
production of scholarly works in international 
human rights law.  The Academy on Human Rights 
and Humanitarian Law grants two Awards, one for 
the best article in English and one for the best 
article in Spanish. The Jury deciding the Award 
will be comprised of professionals with a 
recognized expertise in international human 
rights law. The best articles may be published 
in the American University International Law Review.

The Award in each case will consist of:

    * a scholarship to the 2010 Specialized Human 
Rights Program
    * travel expenses* to Washington D.C.
    * housing* at the university dorms
    * per diem for living expenses* for the three-
week session

*subject to restrictions

Eligibility and Requirements

·         Participants may choose any subject related 
to the assigned topic: “The Rights of Freedom of 
Expression and International Human Rights Law”.

·         Candidates must hold a law degree.

·         Submissions must be unpublished legal papers 
in English, written solely by the candidate.

·         Articles must not exceed 35 pages, including 
footnotes, and must be double spaced using 12-point 
Times New Roman font.

·         Articles must be submitted via email to 
hracademy@wcl.american.edu in Microsoft Word format.

·         The deadline to submit articles is February 1, 
2010, at 10:00 a.m. EST.

·         Winners will be announced on April 1, 2010 
on our website

·         A comprehensive list of rules is available at:
 www.wcl.american.edu/hracademy.hraward.cfm
 
If you have questions please contact the Academy of Human 
Rights and Humanitarian Law at 202-274-4070 or via email 
at hracademy@wcl.american.edu.

E-learning course on minority rights and indigenous peoples

E-learning course on minority rights and indigenous peoples

The course traces the conceptual, political and legal questions associated with the protection of minorities. Participants will debate the challenges of protecting "new" minorities (such as migrants) as opposed to "old" (autochtonous) minorities. Some topics addressed include rights related to religion, language, land, and education. Apply by 1 August 2009.
Learn more >>

Academy on Human Rights, American University, Washington College of Law

Human Rights Month (May 18 – June 12, 2009) A month of events dedicated to human rights theory sponsored by the American University Washington College of Law, Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law. The following panels include former presidents of the Inter-American Commission and the Court, as well as representatives from human rights organizations, and academia. Panels May 27: The Role of International Courts: Current Issues and Future Challenges May 29: Ratification of Human Rights Treaties and the Obama Administration June 1: Environment and Human Rights: Developments on Implementation Co-sponsored by the International and Comparative Environmental Law Program, American University June 3: Indigenous Peoples Rights: Current Status in International Human Rights Law June 5-9: IV Annual Meeting on Human Rights: The 50th Anniversary of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights June 5: A Retrospective Look at the Work of the Commission June 8: Freedom of Expression: A Key Issue on the Commission’s Agenda June 9: A Look at the Future of the Commission: How will it Evolve? June 10: Human Rights Violations after 9/11: A Debate about Accountability Details: WCL Room 603, 12:30 to 2:30 Live webcast on our website: www.wcl.american.edu/humright/hracademy/hrmonth.cfm RSVP: www.wcl.american.edu/secle/registration Phone: 202-274-4295 Email: hracademy@wcl.american.edu