31. Violence Against Human Rights Defenders - Role of Business Passed
Thursday November 15, 2018 15:00 - 16:00 C8
Moderator: Malin Oud
Panelists: Baskut Tuncak, Frances Quimpo Dungueto, Jakob Kiefer, Luisa Book
Threats and violence against human rights defenders escalate in many parts of the world. In 2017, over 300 human rights defenders were killed in 27 different countries. In many cases there are direct links to business operations. Sometimes companies collaborate with governments on repressive laws and restrictions towards civil society. Sectors that are particularly dangerous for those who defend their rights are mining, agribusiness, oil or gas and dam building. Local and indigenous people who defend their rights to land, environment and natural resources are particularly vulnerable. In a globalised economy with complex business structures it is difficult for these groups to defend their rights against powerful companies. States have an obligation to protect against human rights abuses by third parties, including businesses. What responsibility do companies have for their operations, suppliers and customers? What measures can companies undertake to support civic freedoms? What is the responsibility of the state for Swedish companies’ behaviour abroad? Frances Quimpo Dungueto from the NGO Center for Environmental Concerns in Philippines discusses with business and policy makers.
Organizer
Forum Syd, Raoul Wallenberg Institute, Swedwatch, Diakonia, Amnesty International, Naturskyddsföreningen, Afrikagrupperna, FIAN Sverige
Tags
Det offentliga rummet
Demokrati
Mänskliga rättigheter
Naturresurser
Responsibility to protect
Form
Seminarium
Prioriterade målgrupper
Civilsamhälle
Tjänstepersoner vid statliga myndigheter/departement
Näringsliv
Language
English
Lecturers
Malin Oud Moderator
Raoul Wallenberg institutet
Malin Oud is head of the Raoul Wallenberg Institute’s Stockholm office and Team leader of Economic globalisation and human rights. She has more than 15 years’ experience of policy dialogue, development cooperation and engagement with the business sector on human rights.
Baskut Tuncak Panelist
Baskut Tuncak (Turkey/USA) is the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and toxics, appointed in 2014. He is an attorney and chemist. He has focused on various national, regional and global laws and policies relevant to toxic chemicals and pollution, including international environmental, human rights and trade regimes, as well as corporate ethics.
Frances Quimpo Dungueto Panelist
Frances Quimpo works at the NGO Center for Environmental Concerns in the Philippines. They work with local communities on issues related to environment and access to natural resources. They also support environment and human rights defenders. Frances works particularly with support to communities affected by mining.
Jakob Kiefer Panelist
Utrikesdepartementet
Jakob Kiefer is the Ambassador for Sustainable Business (CSR) at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs since August 2018. Before this assignment, Jakob was the Swedish Ambassador in Chile. He has also been the Deputy Chief of Mission, Head of Economic section, Press and CSR at the Embassy of Sweden in Beijing.
Luisa Book Panelist
H&M
Luisa Book is currently the Engagement Lead on Fair Jobs at H&M Global Sustainability department. During her 4 years with H&M, she has been Sustainability Manager for Norway and Iceland, as well as worked for the H&M Foundation and as business expert on human rights. Luisa comes from the development sector working on rights-based approaches and doing so from numerous locations globally.