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 in collaboration with IPRI, IWGIA, Forest Peoples, CAOI, Foro Abaya Yala, IPACC, AIPP and DOCIP.

Version en francais en piece jointe/ Version en espanol en adjunto


Brief Description of the Session

‘I could tell you that, around the world, three people are killed every week while trying to protect their land, their environment, from extractive forces. I could tell you that this has been going on for decades, with the numbers killed in recent years hitting over 200 each year […] Each killed defending not only their own treasured places, but the health of the planet which we all share. […] It's important to picture these victims as the real people they are.’
- Dr Vandana Shiva (quoted in Decade of Defiance, 2022)

According to Global Witness, among the 200 defenders killed in 2021 for peacefully defending their lands and the natural environment from large-scale industrial development, more than 40% were Indigenous leaders and activists. Similarly, back in 2020, Front Line Defenders reported at least 331 killings of human rights defenders (HRDs) in 32 countries and territories, which marked an 18 percent increase from the previous year, along with 19 enforced disappearances in 14 countries and territories. Of these 331 defenders killed, approximately 30% were Indigenous activists. Developed in consultation with Indigenous groups and organizations, this session will spotlight the ongoing attacks, criminalization, and widespread persecution faced by Indigenous defenders involved in opposing and raising awareness about business-related human rights abuses. Crucially, Indigenous representatives—alongside State and business speakers—will discuss the way forward: that is, what needs to change and the ways in which meaningful change can happen to protect Indigenous voices and duly acknowledge their collective contribution to advancing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), as well as the business and human rights movement.

Key Objectives of the Session:
This session aims to:

• Highlight the challenges faced by Indigenous peoples when defending their rights against business-related abuses;
• Share emerging good practices for preventing and eradicating the attacks, criminalization, and other threats faced by Indigenous peoples in the context of business activities;
• Identify opportunities for cooperation among Indigenous human rights defenders, States, and businesses to facilitate the adoption and implementation of the UNGPs.

Key Discussion Questions:

• What are the key trends and patterns with regard to attacks, criminalization, and other forms of persecution against Indigenous peoples in the context of business activities? And to what extent does this vary from sector-to-sector and/or country-to-country?Brief Description of the Session: 
•  What measures have States taken to address this situation, including through policies, laws and regulations, and dispute resolution mechanisms?
• What measures have businesses taken to respect Indigenous peoples’ rights, including through policies, due diligence processes, and remediation?
• How can the Guiding Principles and their implementation in practice be more sensitised to the lived experiences of Indigenous peoples?
• How can States and businesses work more collaboratively with Indigenous peoples to uphold the spirit of the UNGPs?

Additional Background or Relevant Links:

•  IWIAG and IPRI, The UN Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights and Indigenous Peoples – Progress achieved, the implementation gap and challenges for the next Decade 
• UNWG, Report of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on Addressing the human rights impacts of agro-industrial operations on indigenous and local communities: State duties and responsibilities of business enterprises
• UNWG, Guidance of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights on ensuring respect for human rights defenders
• Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples, Report of the Special Rapporteur on Indigenous Peoples on attacks against and criminalization of indigenous peoples defending their rights
•  Global Witness, Decade of Defiance (2022)
• Front Line Defenders, Global Analysis 2020
• Danish Institute of Human Rights, Respecting the rights of indigenous peoples: Respecting the rights of indigenous peoples: a due diligence checklist for companies