Business Network on Civic Freedoms and Human Rights Defenders

The Business Network on Civic Freedoms and Human Rights Defenders (Business Network) is a group of companies committed to identifying ways that businesses and society can benefit from increased support from the private sector for the protection of civic freedoms and human rights defenders (HRDs).

The vision of the Business Network is that business and civil society thrive, working together in partnership with governments to create positive and enabling operating environments characterised by good governance, respect for the rule of law and human rights, equality and diversity.  

The mission of the Business Network is to respond and oppose the increasing legal restrictions on and hostility towards human rights defenders; the deterioration of civic freedoms and the closing of civic space in many parts of the globe. 

Initiated in 2016, this group is coordinated by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC), the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), and The B Team, Approximately 40 major multinationals currently participate in the Business Network. The Business Network works across sectors, which include businesses, civil society (NGOs, community representatives, union leaders and other front line human rights defenders), investors, international institutions and academia.