Pushing companies to commit to zero tolerance for attacks against human rights defenders

A new resource hub is empowering Indigenous Peoples, rural and Afro-descendant organisations, and human rights defenders to advocate for and track corporate policy commitments on zero tolerance for attacks against defenders.

Launched in 2024 by the Zero Tolerance Initiative (ZTI) during the 13th United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva, the Zero Tolerance Resource Hub is a centralised platform for the growing body of standards, frameworks, tools and guidance on corporate accountability for protecting defenders.

The hub is already catalysing cross-regional collaboration and arming Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant communities, and rural organisations with the tools to engage more effectively in corporate accountability processes.

The goal of the ZTI network, whose secretariat is hosted by FPP, is to end attacks and killings of Indigenous Peoples, local community representatives, and environmental human rights defenders in global supply chains.

ZTI has influenced the progressive zero tolerance policies of Unilever – the most comprehensive to date – and of the Voluntary Principles Initiative. The two worst offending sectors for attacks on rightsholders – agribusiness and extractives – have adopted comprehensive corporate zero tolerance policies, setting the bar for companies to develop their own and help turn the rising tide of violence against defenders. Importantly, the resource hub shows companies this momentum.

The hub is also a one-stop shop for companies, investors and industry associations who want to commit to not tolerating attacks on human rights defenders. It shows them what a zero-tolerance policy would look like and where to start.

Recommendations for minimum requirements for company policies, published in Committing to Protections for Human Rights Defenders, are also available on the hub. This living document is a culmination of years of contributions from ZTI members on what zero tolerance means.