Human Rights Defenders: The Current State of Affairs and Tools for Investor Action

On May 16th, 2024, the Investor Alliance organized an investor briefing titled Human Rights Defenders: The Current State of Affairs and Tools for Investor Action in collaboration with the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre and the International Service for Human Rights.

The investor briefing discussed the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre’s latest research on the scale of attacks on human rights defenders (HRDs) raising concerns about corporate harm globally. Launched on 7 May, People power under pressure: Human rights defenders & business in 2023 explores the ongoing pattern of attacks on HRDs protecting our rights and planet globally, with more than 5,300 attacks recorded since January 2015, and shares information about the most high-risk sectors, regions, and countries. This was followed by an intervention from CSO representative Geoffrey Ssebaggala from Witness Radio, Uganda, who discussed the challenges and opportunities faced by HRDs working to protect the rights of communities impacted by business activities across the country.

The briefing further explored a new tool that investors can use in their risk assessments and engagement with portfolio companies to strengthen respect for the rights of HRDs. The Indicators on how to track businesses' respect of the rights of human rights defenders, developed by the International Service for Human Rights, provide baseline guidance on businesses’ responsibility to respect the rights of HRDs, including zero tolerance for intimidation, attacks and threats; human rights due diligence; transparency and accountability; access to remedy/grievance mechanisms; and support for civic freedoms.

The conversation concluded with an investor perspective about implications for their work and opportunities for strengthened practice.

Speakers:

Christen Dobson, Co-Head, Civic Freedoms & Human Rights Defenders Programme, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre

Lazaro Tiant, Sustainable Investment Manager, Schroders

Ulises Quero, Programme Manager (Business, Land & Environment), International Service for Human Rights

Geoffrey Wokulira Ssebaggala, Country Director, Witness Radio - Uganda 

Moderator: Rebecca DeWinter-Schmitt, Associate Director, Investor Alliance for Human Rights

RESOURCES:

ISHR, Indicators on how to track businesses' respect of the rights of human rights defenders

BHRRC, People Power Under Pressure: Human Rights Defenders and Business in 2023

Watch the full webinar here: