CEO activism and other positive business initiatives to protect civic freedoms
The main elements of a safe and enabling environment for civil society organizations (CSOs) and human rights defenders (HRDs) are the respect for basic freedoms, strong compliance with the rule of law, removal of all obstacles for registration and operation, end to all forms of impunity, and free access to remedy and redress mechanisms. All these are the same elements that are conducive for healthy environments in which to conduct business and investments. The fates of CSOs, HRDs, and companies are closely intertwined.
Human rights, labour rights and environmental defenders, journalists, lawyers, and anti-corruption campaigners are key agents of change, and they contribute greatly to safeguarding human rights and the rule of law. As such, both companies and defenders have a shared interest in the full respect of freedoms of expression, association and assembly, characterised by non-discrimination, transparent and accountable government, and freedom from corruption.
However, the operating context for CSOs and HRDs has become, and continues to become increasingly restrictive and dangerous in many countries. These countries include those in which companies operate and invest. More and more companies understand that they can have a powerful voice in the protection of civic freedoms, especially where abuses are taking place linked to their industry and/or operations. Below are some of these recent examples of emerging good practices and drivers of such actions.
Related stories and components
Open Gov't Partnership ambassador says civic space emergency is a threat to economic growth
Author: Dr. Mo Ibrahim, The B Team (USA)
"Serving Citizens Means Empowering Citizens", July 7, 2018 ...
Nicaragua: Main multinationals call for govt. to respect rule of law and guarantee freedom of assembly & expression
Author: Maynor Salazar, Confidencial (Nicaragua)
"Nicaragua’s Free Trade Zone Multinationals Ask Ortega to End Repression", 1 Jul 2018...
- Related in-depth areas: CEO activism and other positive business initiatives to protect civic freedoms Latest news on human rights defenders
- Related companies: adidas Fanatics Gap New Balance Nike Patagonia Under Armour
Author: Pacto Global Chile
“Encuentro de Relaciones Laborales abordó la implementación de la Nueva Ley de Inclusión Laboral en las empresas” - 29 de junio de 2018...
- Related in-depth areas: Pasos positivos
USA: CEOs speak out against Trump Administration policy of separating migrant & asylum seeking families
Author: Grupo de Trabajo de Derechos Humanos y Carbón
“Declaración conjunta de rechazo a las amenazas a la vida e integridad de personas. Compromiso Estado-Empresas-Sociedad Civil para colaborar en la protección de la vida e integridad de personas” – 12 de junio de 2018...
Author: ISA INTERCOLOMBIA
“Obras por impuestos: una apuesta por la construcción de paz desde las regiones” – mayo 2018...
- Related in-depth areas: Pasos positivos
World Press Freedom day: United Nations & news companies join forces to promote high-quality journalism
Author: Brian Stelter, CNN (US)
'Read more, listen more:' Newsrooms unite for World Press Freedom Day' 3 May 2018...
- Related in-depth areas: CEO activism and other positive business initiatives to protect civic freedoms Latest news on human rights defenders Technology and Human Rights
- Related companies: CNN (part of Time Warner) Droga5 Time Warner
Company lobbying for lower taxes exceeds social activism, Oxfam America claims
Author: Oxfam America (US)
"Corporations Increasingly Vocal on Social Issues but Still Mostly Lobbying for Lower Taxes" 12 Apr 2018...
- Related in-depth areas: CEO activism and other positive business initiatives to protect civic freedoms
- Related companies: Abbott Laboratories AbbVie AIG Albertsons Alphabet Amazon.com Amgen Anadarko Apple Archer Daniels Midland Bank of America Berkshire Hathaway Bristol-Myers Squibb Cargill Chevron Cisco Systems Citigroup Coca-Cola ConocoPhillips Costco Eli Lilly ExxonMobil Facebook Foot Locker Gap General Mills Gilead Sciences Hanesbrands Home Depot HP (Hewlett-Packard) IBM Intel J.P. Morgan (part of JPMorgan Chase) Johnson & Johnson JPMorgan Chase Kellogg Kroger L Brands, Inc. Lowe's Marathon Petroleum Mars McDonald's Merck Metlife Microsoft Mondelēz International Morgan Stanley Nike Oracle PepsiCo Pfizer Phillips 66 Prudential Financial Publix PVH (Phillips-Van Heusen) Ralph Lauren Ross Stores State Farm Insurance Target Tyson Valero Energy VF Corp Walgreen Walmart Wells Fargo Whole Foods Market
Author: Andesco
“Estas son las 360 organizaciones inscritas en el Premio Andesco de Sostenibilidad”...
- Related in-depth areas: Pasos positivos
Nordic food companies say verdict against Andy Hall is harmful to Thailand as exporting country & emphasize importance of free civil society
Author: Axfood (Sweden), Axfoundation (Sweden), Coop (Sweden), Findus (Sweden), Ethical Trading Initiative (Norway), Martin & Servera (Sweden), Menigo (Sweden), Norvida (Sweden), SOK (Finland), Unil (Norway)
"Nordic food companies’ comment on the Court decision 26th March 2018 regarding defamation case against human rights advocate Andy Hall", 11 Apr 2018...
- Related stories: Thai Court orders defender Andy Hall's payment of 10 million baht in damages to Natural Fruit co.; companies & business associations express concern
- Related in-depth areas: CEO activism and other positive business initiatives to protect civic freedoms Latest news on human rights defenders
- Related companies: "S Group" Axfood Coop Norden
