Resources - Business Network on Civic Freedoms and Human Rights Defenders

February 28, 2024 ISHR

ISHR launches Indicators on how to track businesses’ respect of the rights of human rights defenders

ISHR's new indicators are designed to provide baseline guidance on what is required to monitor the implementation of the responsibility of business to respect the rights of human rights defenders.

October 11, 2021 BHRRC

Hearing the human: Ensuring due diligence legislation effectively amplifies the voices of those affected by irresponsible business

Briefing based on consultation with 60+ defenders, making the case that meaningful and safe stakeholder engagement is a central aspect of the EU framework on mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence

September 21, 2021

Shared Space Under Pressure: Business Support for Civic Freedoms and Human Rights Defenders

Explains the normative framework, the business case, and the moral choice for businesses to act when shared civil society space is under pressure, threat or attack.

January 28, 2020 The B Team

The Business Case for Protecting Civic Rights

This report examines the economic impact of respect for civic rights and civic space and utilizes data from the Varieties of Democracy Institute (V-Dem) to augment the business case for action and explore how a better business environment is linked to greater civic rights and freedoms.

December 10, 2019 OHCHR

Time to act: Protect defenders who speak up against business impact on people and planet:

Statement by the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights together with the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders and a group of civil society on the need for companies & governments to take action to protect defenders

January 16, 2019 World Economic Forum

Why Businesses are Nothing without Strong Human Rights

World Economic Forum blog piece explaining how profit is dependant on human rights defenders maintaining the rule of law.

December 10, 2018 The B Team

It’s Time for Business to Stand up for Human Rights

Mary Robinson, Former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, shares her view on how threats to human rights threaten business and provides concrete actions that business can do to protect human rights.

July 18, 2018 B Team

Serving Citizens Means Empowering Citizens

Dr. Mo Ibrahim on the civic space crisis and the power of open government and business to address it.

February 28, 2018 B Team

With Freedom at Stake, Business Can’t Afford to Stay Quiet

Ngozi Okonjo Iweala on the importance of creating cross-sectoral dialogue on civic space and civic rights.

December 10, 2016 B Team

Refugees are an Opportunity for Humanity

Outlines a clear case for business action, within companies and as part of the larger social movement, to help resolve the humanitarian crisis refugees face today.