© Pietro Soldi for Fine Acts
ISHR provides solidarity and support to defenders working on issues of environmental justice, corporate responsibility and accountability, and sustainable and inclusive development.
The knowledge and work of indigenous peoples and communities, as well as activists working on issues of environmental protection, the climate crisis and corporate accountability, are vital for humanity to live more responsibly and sustainably. Despite this, such people and communities are being killed and displaced by both irresponsible governments and unscrupulous corporations for their work to prevent exploitation, to protect precious forests and oceans, and to ensure that development is sustainable and inclusive.
Through this programme, ISHR provides solidarity and support to defenders working on issues of environmental justice, corporate responsibility and accountability, and sustainable and inclusive development. We also seek to ensure that businesses and other non-State actors are effectively regulated with respect to human rights and HRDs, consult with and become positive advocates for HRDs, take action to respect and contribute to the protection of HRDs, refrain from actions that restrict or violate their rights, and are held accountable when they fail to do so.
Read our latest news on environmental justice and sustainability.
In 2024, national, regional, and international courts took action to protect and recognise the rights of human rights defenders. In this article, we explore some of the key cases that have shaped the legal landscape for those advocating for human rights.
At the end of the Forum, there was one clear message: voluntary commitments are not enough to guarantee corporate accountability, States need to regulate business with binding rules to comprehensively address the human rights abuses committed by businesses.
The 13th United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights, taking place from 25 to 27 November 2024 at Palais des Nations, brings together thousands of participants from government, business, community groups and civil society, UN bodies and more for the world's largest annual gathering on business and human rights.
During a side event co-hosted by ISHR on the margins of the 81st Ordinary Session of the African Commission, panelists reviewed the state of environmental defenders’ rights and reiterated their call for an African regional framework on environmental rights.
Civil society in the Americas has issued an urgent call to accelerate the implementation of the Plan of Action on Human Rights Defenders of the Escazú Agreement, which was adopted five months ago.
Women human rights defenders (WHRD) working on environment and climate justice from around the world gathered in Geneva to participate in the Women Human Rights Advocacy Week (WHRD-AW) between 16 and 21 September. Discover their experience below!
