Latest news: 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.
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Author: El Comercio (Perú)
“De producir autos eléctricos a convertirse en el mayor fabricante de mascarillas” - 23 de marzo de 2020 ...
- Related in-depth areas: Brote de COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pasos positivos
- Related companies: BYD
Author: Infobae
“Como en tiempos de guerra: tres gigantes automotrices se ofrecen para fabricar respiradores” - 20 de marzo de 2020 ...
- Related in-depth areas: Brote de COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pasos positivos
- Related companies: Ford General Motors Tesla Motors
USA: Companies release a signed letter calling on legislators to abandon anti-LGBTQ legislation
Author: Freedom for All Americans
"Business Statement on Anti-LGBTQ State Legislation", 11 March 2020...
- Related in-depth areas: Latest news: CEO activism and other positive business initiatives to protect civic freedoms
- Related companies: AAA International Airbnb Alphabet Amalgamated Bank Amazon.com American Airlines American Eagle Outfitters Apple Asana AT&T Bayer Ben & Jerry's (part of Unilever) Boehringer Ingelheim Capital One Corning Danone Dow Dropbox Eastern Bank Google (part of Alphabet) Hilton HP (Hewlett-Packard) IBM IKEA Instacart Levi Strauss Lush Lyft Marriott Mars MassMutual Microsoft Mobilize Nestlé Nike PayPal Salesforce.com SunLife Technet Trillium Corporation Uber Unilever
Author: La República (Perú)
“Alicorp: Banco noruego retira inversiones a empresa por escándalo de palma aceitera” – 5 de marzo de 2020...
- Related in-depth areas: Pasos positivos
Author: Swissinfo.ch
“En Ginebra, primer centro europeo de negocios y DD HH” – 3 de marzo de 2020...
- Related in-depth areas: Pasos positivos
Author: Elderecho.com (España)
“Entra en vigor la obligación de establecer planes de igualdad para las empresas de más de 150 trabajadores” – 6 de marzo de 2020...
- Related in-depth areas: Pasos positivos Últimas noticias legales
Author: Andina (Perú)
“Empresas se comprometen a promover y respetar los derechos humanos” – 8 de marzo de 2020...
- Related in-depth areas: Latest news on National Action Plans Pasos positivos
Author: Actualidad Ambiental (Perú)
“Restaurantes firmarán pacto para promover la pesca responsable” – 27 de febrero de 2020...
- Related in-depth areas: Pasos positivos
Author: La Vanguardia (España)
“Endesa, Medalla de Platino de Ecovadis en Sostenibilidad” - 18 de febrero de 2020...
- Related in-depth areas: Pasos positivos
- Related companies: Endesa (part of Enel) Enel
