Research shows 34% rise in attacks against campaigners defending land, environment and labour rights in the face of corporate activity
Human rights defenders who challenge big corporations are being killed, assaulted, harassed and suppressed in growing numbers, researchers have claimed.
A survey by the Business and Human Rights Resource Center recorded a 34% global rise in attacks against human rights activists last year, including 120 alleged murders and hundreds of other cases involving threats, assaults and intimidation. The number of incidents were found to have risen sharply, with 388 attacks recorded in 2017 compared with 290 the previous year.
The research focused on attacks against activists involved in protests against corporate activities. Victims included unionists, protests, whistleblowers and indigenous communities.
Land rights defenders and activists linked to the mining, agribusiness and renewable energy sectors were found to be in greatest danger. The researchers also highlighted an increased risk to lawyers, and to members of human rights and environmental civil society organisations working for corporate accountability.
In 42% of harassment cases, judicial intimidation was used in an attempt to suppress protests against business activities. This included arbitrary detention, criminalisation and aggressive lawsuits.
The Business and Human Rights Center found that companies involved in mining, agriculture, energy and construction – particularly those headquartered in the UK, US, China, Canada and France – were the most likely to use legal means in an attempt to prevent human rights protests.
“Our research highlights that companies do play a significant role in attacks on human rights defenders – the first time that this data has been systematically collected,” said Ana Zbona from the Business and Human Rights Resource Center.
The researchers found that human rights defenders raising concerns about business operations are often criminalised on fabricated charges. Documented cases include activists accused of being involved in assassinations in Guatemala, arson attacks in Chile, and fraud and tax evasion in Turkmenistan, Russia and Azerbaijan.
“Judicial harassment deters communities, workers and activists from speaking out against corporate abuse. Legal harassment often forms part of a broader campaign which can include physical attacks and killings,” said Zbona.
“Impunity from the state and the declining strength of unions has a big role to play, as well as a growing competition for natural resources that is only gaining pace.”
Although attacks occurred in every region across the world, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Honduras, Guatemala and the Philippines – which collectively accounted for 212 of all incidents – were identified as the countries where attacks were most probable.
Last week, the International Council on Mining and Metals acknowledged that attacks on human rights defenders were on the increase and called on relevant government authorities to take action.
“Defenders continue to face harassment and fear for their safety when they speak out,” the council said in a statement. “This is deeply concerning for companies that are committed to human rights, openness and transparency. While we may not always agree with positions taken by human rights defenders, ICMM recognises freedom of expression and assembly as fundamental human rights.”
Last month, a report by Frontline Defenders said that in 2017 there was a “well resourced and coordinated strategy of defamation, criminalisation and violence deployed to intimidate, marginalise and silence human rights defenders”.
The group received reports on the murder of 312 rights defenders in 27 countries.
“In 2017 the alarming rise in attacks is just a continuation of what has become a very open and very aggressive attack on civil society and anyone who advocates against or challenges corporate power,” said Katie Redford, director of EarthRights International, a civil society group that provides legal assistance to human and environmental rights activists.
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thesearmsshootlasers on March 9th, 2018 at 16:08 UTC »
Corporate terrorists should face the harshest penalties.
iamwhiskerbiscuit on March 9th, 2018 at 15:56 UTC »
We do a lot of crazy shit in America. During the Occupy protests, we sent in undercover cops to get violent with cops and then used that as an excuse to send in riot control, and blast protestors with water cannons, tear gas, bean bag cannons, rubber bullets, and smack them around with police batons. We indiscriminately arrested thousands of protestors during the Occupy movement for merely attending a protest that was supposed to be peaceful. We throw whistleblowers in jail, or threaten to sue if they don't keep quiet. Speak out against representatives getting paid by oil and gas at a town hall meeting and you'll be forced out and arrested if you resist in the slightest, including defending your right to free speech. Ask a superintendent why he gets a $30k raise while teachers haven't gotten a raise in 5 years... Arrested. Help leak evidence of war crimes to the public... Arrested. And even if you can prove without a doubt your arrest was 100% unlawful, the cops who arrested you don't even get in trouble for it.
Evelyn_Abigail on March 9th, 2018 at 14:15 UTC »
This is honestly depressing to hear. Countries which don't have civil rights and political freedoms in great numbers like western countries are particularly susceptible to this. Big corporations, which often lobby politically to receive favors tend to have more power than the law.