UN Forum side event on human rights defenders (18 Nov 2015)
Date: 18 Nov, 10-11:20am | Location: UN Palais, Room XX
This session will explore how to overcome the risks that defenders who challenge business face in a world in which civil society at large fights for its place. It will include contributions from prominent defenders and companies operating in complex environments, from governments who are working to improve the rights of defenders, and will provide examples of what companies can do to provide meaningful, practical assistance to defenders.
Concept Note (includes background information, topics and full list of speakers for the session)
This page compiles relevant reports, videos, individual cases, and other materials from the organizations involved in the session:
- Amnesty International
- Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
- Civil Rights Defenders
- Front Line Defenders
- International Federation for Human Rights
- Institute for Human Rights and Business
- International Service for Human Rights
- Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights
Injustice Incorporated: Corporate Abuses and the Human Right to Remedy, 7 Mar 2014
Full report: In English | En español | In Arabic
Myanmar: Open for Business? Corporate Crime and Abuses at Myanmar Copper Mine, 10 Feb 2015
Chains of Abuse: The Global Diamond Supply Chain and the Case of the Central African Republic, 29 Sep 2015
Special Issue of the Journal of Human Rights Practice on ‘Protection of Human Rights Defenders’, 4 Nov 2013
Critical perspectives on the security and protection of human rights defenders, 20 Aug 2015
Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
Big Issue: Human Rights Defenders
Includes latest news on human rights defenders working on corporate accountability, examples of abuses & positive initiatives by companies
"“What human rights?” Why some companies speak out while others don’t", Mauricio Lazala & Joe Bardwell, openGlobalRights, 17 Jun 2015
Legitimate human rights advocacy: A blueprint for business, 18 Aug 2015
Despite the odds: Businesses speaking out for human rights, 18 Aug 2015
Weak defense for the defenders – a briefing paper on human rights defenders in Serbia, 4 Apr 2013
State versus human rights defenders – unfair play, 8 Apr 2014
We Will Not Be Silenced – Bloggers and the Human Rights Movement in Vietnam, 11 Jun 2015
Front Line Defenders Annual Report 2015 - Human Rights Defenders Lives in the Balance, 14 Jan 2015
Abstract: In English | En français | En español | Русский | In Arabic | In Persian
Full Report: In English | En français | En español | на русском | In Arabic
Environmental Rights Defenders at Risk in Peru, Jun 2014
Abstract: In English | En español
Vídeo en español (with English subtitles)
Full report: In English | En español
International Federation for Human Rights
For OBS reports see “Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders”
Inter-American Court of Human Rights condemns the State of Chile for having used its antiterrorist legislation against members of the Mapuche people, 30 Jul 2014
Honduras: Human Rights violations in Bajo Aguán, Sep 2011
Large-scale mining in Ecuador and human rights abuses: The Case of Corriente Resources Inc. (only available in Spanish), Dec 2010
Executive summary: In English | En français | En español | In Chinese
Bagua - Bloodshed in the context of Amazon protest - Urgent need for good faith dialogue, Oct 2009
Institute for Human Rights and Business
(Content Forthcoming)
International Service for Human Rights
Angola: Law should not be an instrument to stifle economic, social and cultural rights defenders, 17 Sep 2015
Human Rights Committee: Demand Guatemala protect human rights activists, 24 Aug 2015
Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
Joint programme of the World Organisation Against Torture & FIDH
OBS Annual Report 2013: Restrictions on Human Rights Defenders' Access to Funding Bolster Impunity, Feb 2013
Abstract available in English, Français, Español
Full report: In English | En français | En español | In Arabic | Русский
"We are not afraid". Land Rights Defenders: attacked for confronting unbridled development, Dec 2014
Abstract available in English, Français, Español
Full report: In English | En français | En español
Guatemala: “Smaller than David”: the fight of human rights defenders in Guatemala. Publication of Fact-Finding Report and Documentary Film, 23 Feb 2015
Full report: In English | En español
Film on Amazonas Indians: “Indians in the Amazon on Borrowed Time”, 26 Nov 2013
Watch en français, Watch with Español subtitles, Watch with Português subtitles, Watch with English subtitles, Watch with Deutsche subtitles
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Maina Kiai, 28 Apr 2015
Full report: In English | En español | En français
Interactive dialogue with the SR on Peaceful Assembly and Association (available in English, Français, Español), 17 Jun 2015
Land and environmental rights defenders in danger: an overview of recent cases, Dec 2013
1st session of the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights: Joint written intervention, Dec 2012