Take Action to Support Environmental Defenders
Call on the government to better protect defenders and regulate UK business behaviour
In 2019 the UK Government launched a policy to support human rights defenders, highlighting those working on environmental issues as some of the most threatened, and promising to take actions to protect them. But in reality, efforts by the FCDO and UK embassies abroad are sporadic, inconsistent and ad-hoc. The lack of a comprehensive strategy and budget often render the policy ineffective.
The UK also lags behind when it comes to tackling the big business interests that lie behind a lot of these threats to defenders, as well as the environmental harms communities are standing up to. Last week, the European Parliament approved legislation to make it mandatory for large companies to check for environmental and human rights abuses in their supply chains. Yet in London, the Government continues to resist calls from companies, consumers, investors and civil society to develop their own law to ensure UK business isn’t fueling violence in communities like those described above.
Given the extreme threats facing environmental defenders and the crucial role they can play as allies in combating climate change, it is high time the UK Government enhanced their policy on human rights defenders and committed to make human rights and environmental due diligence mandatory for UK companies. With a General Election looking, opposition parties should make clear commitments on both fronts.
You can help!
Please write to your MP and let them know you want to see defenders protected and business regulated! You can find your MP here and use our handy template to send them a letter.
Please also also sign the petition making clear your support for a law to ensure business prevents environmental and human rights abuses in their supply chains!
Please help PBI protect environmentalists on the front line by donating here if you are able. Thank you!
