"Human Rights Council adopts historic resolution on protection of defenders of economic, social and cultural rights," 24 Mar 2016

The UN Human Rights Council has adopted a landmark resolution…The resolution affirms the legitimate and essential role of human rights defenders in promoting, protecting and contributing to the realisation of economic, social and cultural rights…and condemns restrictions and attacks against them by both States and business enterprises…The resolution also provides…guidance to States and business as to obligations…in the protection of defenders. For States, such obligations…include developing specific human rights defender protection laws and mechanisms…ensuring accountability for attacks…against them, and facililtating access to information and participation in policy and decision-making processes. For businesses, the resolution reinforces the obligation to respect and not interfere with the work of defenders, and to consult closely with defenders to identify, avoid, mitigate and remedy human rights risks and violations associated with business activities and development projects…ISHR calls on all governments to take immediate and concrete steps to implement the landmark resolution at the national level.