11th UN Forum on business and human rights

(Version française ci-jointe)
(Versión en español adjunta)

Interpretation available in English, French and Spanish

Session organized by the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights

Brief Description of the Session:
 Across the Asia-Pacific region, trends related to business-related human rights abuse are not abating. These include, for instance, attacks against human rights defenders (HRDs), the criminalization of Indigenous communities speaking out against such abuses, as well as the use of strategic litigation against public participation (SLAPPs). In the spirit of the Forum’s theme of ‘putting rights holders at the center’, this hybrid session will explore and unpack the different principles, tools, and strategies that can be leveraged to protect rights holders—whether these be victims or individuals at heightened risk of business-related human rights abuses, workers, or HRDs—and ensure their ability to access effective remedies in the Asia-Pacific. The session is structured as a ‘fireside chat’, where speakers will candidly share their expertise, lived experiences, and lessons learnt in relation to the question of how to protect rights holders. Speakers will also be asked to reflect practically on how action by States, businesses, and rights holders themselves can be galvanised—from the bottom-up and top-down—to safeguard human rights at the local, national and regional levels.   
  
Key Objectives of the Session:
 This session aims to:  

• Discuss how the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights should be implemented and enforced to protect HRDs, Indigenous peoples, and other rights holders;  
• Share good-practice cases and practical lessons in relation to how rights holders can be supported to defend against business-related human rights harm, including from SLAPPs, criminalization, and other forms of persecution;  
• Appraise the opportunities and challenges faced by States, businesses, and civil society in preventing and remedying business-related human rights abuses within the Asia-Pacific region.  

Key Discussion Questions:

• Who are the rights-holders facing the greatest risk of business-related human rights abuse?   
• What are the key trends in the persecution of rights-holders in the Asia-Pacific region?  
• What are the priority action areas in the protection of rights-holders?  
• In practical terms, which tools or approaches have or have not worked when it comes to safeguarding rights-holders?  

Additional Background or Relevant Links:   

• UNWG, Background note: Human rights defenders and civic space – the business and human rights dimension 
• UNWG, The Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: guidance on ensuring respect for human rights defenders