Threats to Human Rights Defenders: Six ways companies should respond

Abstract

This paper details how companies should respond to the growing number of threats facing human rights defenders and offers six key recommendations. It offers a definition of human rights defenders, an introduction to the threats they face and an overview of the existing normative framework for the protection of defenders.While this paper is not a comprehensive review of the legal and other obligations companies have toward human rights defenders, it offers a concrete pathway forward for companies that is grounded in best practice.