"Letter to Members of the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights," 24 May 2016

The undersigned 301 civil society organisations…would like to draw the Committee’s attention to the deteriorating situation of those…who work to promote and protect economic, social and cultural (ESC) rights. We call on the Committee to address this…situation, including by making a public statement on ESC rights defenders…The effective protection and realisation of ESC rights relies upon the contribution of civil society…Defenders of ESC rights are increasingly facing…threats…as a consequence of their work on ESC rights…These heightened risks…have been well documented by…UN human rights experts…The Committee itself benefits from the work of ESC rights defenders…States must ensure a safe and enabling environment for ESC rights defenders…We encourage the Committee to…mak[e] a public statement:

• …Condemning the rising harassment…of ESC rights defenders;
• Advising States to take concrete measures…;
• Stating that attacks against…ESC rights defenders may amount to a violation…of the ESC rights for which they advocate;
• Highlighting that non-State actors, and business in particular, have a responsibility to contribute to a safe and enabling environment…;…