webinar register page

Hostility and threats in global supply chains: Risks for human rights defenders and their communities protecting their lands and forests

This event will highlight the key findings from the Special Rapporteur’s latest report, with a focus on issues faced by environmental and land rights defenders, who are particularly vulnerable to attack. One in two victims of killings recorded in 2019 by OHCHR had been working with communities around issues of land, environment, the impact of business activities, poverty and the rights of indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants and other minorities. The report stressed that businesses also have responsibilities to protect human rights defenders, and many defenders are killed after protesting against negative human rights impacts of business ventures. In too many cases, businesses are also shirking their responsibilities to prevent attacks on defenders or are even perpetrators of such attacks. The purpose of this event will be to hear directly from community leaders and those defending the rights of indigenous peoples, including by opposing land grabs and objecting to business projects imposed on communities without free, prior and informed consent. Either these defenders or their colleagues have experienced threats and attacks first hand. In dialogue with Mary, they will speak about:
· the kinds of attacks they, their communities and organizations currently face;
· how the expansion of agribusiness and extractive frontiers, a lack of recognition of rights, corporate capture of the State, systemic corruption, organised crime, impunity and other factors are driving these attacks;
· how communities currently collectively protect themselves and access support; and
· action needed by states, businesses and investors to stop the killings

Mar 18, 2021 02:00 PM in London