The critical role of human rights defenders in seeking solutions to environmental and social harms in the context of business activities
As the world faces a convergence of interlinked crises, this event will highlight the critical role of human rights defenders in seeking solutions and explore practices of safe and meaningful engagement while also identifying the challenges faced in different business contexts.
The world is facing a convergence of interlinked crises —commonly referred to as the triple planetary crises (climate change, loss of biodiversity and pollution), armed conflicts, financial crisis and the unregulated development and use of new technologies including AI— which pose potential harms to both people and the planet.
In this context, human rights defenders, including women, environmental, and Indigenous human rights defenders, play a critical role in addressing harmful business practices and indirect corporate impacts, protecting natural ecosystems, and advocating for climate and environmental justice. However, defenders around the world face mounting threats, including criminalisation, forced displacement, SLAPPs, harassment, physical violence, and killings, with disproportionate links to the extractive, agribusiness and renewable energy sectors. Such abuses are more frequent in regions where corporate operations intersect with weak governance and lack of accountability.
Drawing on the experiences of civil society actors, human rights defenders and other rights holders, and business actors, this event will explore practices of safe and meaningful engagement while also identifying the challenges faced in different contexts. Panelists will identify practical challenges of stakeholder engagement, and recommendations to address and overcome them, as well as surfacing examples of good practices.
This event is organised by the Working Group on BHR, Zero Tolerance Initiative, Front Line Defenders, International Service for Human Rights, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact, Jamaa Resource Initiatives, Protection International, International Lawyers Project, African Law Foundation and B Team.