DEFENDING HUMAN RIGHTS
Supporting human rights and environmental defenders in their fight to hold businesses accountable
Despite protections under international law, human rights and environmental defenders increasingly face threats — especially where corporate interests conflict with those of local communities, such as in land-intensive sectors like mining, agriculture, and renewable energy. As civic space continues to shrink, and corporate power grows, their work to protect the rights’ of people and the planet has never been more important and in need of protection.
The global crackdown on defenders
Human rights defenders (HRDs) are individuals or groups who work peacefully to promote and protect internationally recognised human rights. While this work has always carried risks, it has become even more dangerous in recent years, as civic space shrinks worldwide. This global trend is driven not only by an increase in authoritarian regimes and weak rule of law, but also by corporate interests — particularly amid the rising demand for transition minerals and the expansion of renewable energy projects, which often involve large-scale land use and exploitation of natural resources. In many cases, communities that rely on this land for their livelihoods, and the defenders who stand up for them, are met with repression rather than dialogue.
The role of businesses and investors
The crackdown on defenders not only violates individual rights; it undermines broader goals of sustainable development and good governance. Upholding the right to speak out without fear benefits all stakeholders by fostering transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights.
Companies and investors must recognise the risks defenders face and ensure their operations do not obstruct their work. This includes introducing stronger human rights due diligence, meaningful engagement with affected communities, workers and defenders, and adopting clear policies that protect defenders’ rights.
Zero tolerance towards violence
Recommendations to companies
Swedwatch stands by the he Zero Tolerance Initiative (ZTI), a global coalition led by indigenous peoples, local community representatives and CSOs working collectively to address the root causes of killings and violence against human rights defenders linked to business. Key advice to companies include:
✔️Adopt a policy commit to respecting human rights defenders and refrain from obstructing their work, including pledging not to pursue criminal charges against them, even if they oppose company projects.
✔️Enforce zero tolerance for any involvement in attacks on defenders in all business relations, contracts, and agreements.
Why should companies care about human rights and environmental defenders?
Businesses depend on defenders to identify risks and address them at an early stage, whether it’s about poor labour conditions, corruption or environmental harm. The concept of human rights and environmental due diligence will only work if defenders are able to carry out their work freely and report misconduct without being subject to retaliation of any kind. Companies putting obstacles to defenders’ work do not respect the rights of defenders described in the UN Declaration. If those who speak out are silenced it will impact the human rights of society at large.
What steps can they take to ensure they are not involved in attacks on defenders?
By communicating clearly both internally and externally that the company does not accept any form of harassment against defenders, physical, psychological, judicial or reputational. Attacks come in many forms and by many different actors. Businesses need to take active steps to counteract the narrative that defenders are troublemakers or anti-development. Instead, they should include them in meaningful dialogues throughout the project cycle and due diligence processes and identify defenders at risk.
How can investors support the protection of human rights and environmental defenders?
By identifying high-risk sectors and countries where civic space is limited and defenders at risk. In dialogues with companies in those countries and sectors investors should always ask how these risks are being addressed and encourage companies to apply zero tolerance principles for attacks against defenders. They can also ensure to be accessible for defenders reaching out and support defenders at risk by clearly communicate to business partners and host states that you do not tolerate any forms of retaliation against defenders exercising their rights.
What are the business risk of ignoring defenders' need for protection?
There is a risk to become implicit in retaliation leading to reputational damage and losing the social license to operate. When risks are not pointed out at an early stage they will in many cases get worse and more costly to address.
How can companies proactively support a safe environment for defenders?
By being transparent and accessible and by engaging with defenders proactively from an early stage. Public support for defenders’ rights is particularly important where these rights are not recognized by business partners or the host state. Companies can use their leverage over business partners and host states to support defenders and civic rights.
More on the topic
Short video
Renewable energy is crucial, but must not come at the cost of human rights. Around the world, defenders protecting land and communities from harmful projects face threats.
Defending womens' rights
Interview
Around the world, brave women human rights defenders are working for a more just society, challenging discrimination and inequality faced by women and girls. Nazma Akter, a labor rights defender from Bangladesh, shares her story with Swedwatch.
Supporting access to justice
NCP complaint
Swedwatch supports human rights defenders working for corporate accountability to use existing grievance mechanisms. One example is the the acquisition of Lundin Energy by Aker, where a complaint was filed to the Norwegian National Contact Point for the OECD Guidelines.