Switzerland – HRDs and Whistle-blowers

2 National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights 2020-23

2.1 Pillar 1: state duty to protect

2.1.2 Operational principles: legislative and information policy measures

Measure 6: Business enterprises and human rights defenders

Companies should take on board the concerns of stakeholders, including human rights defenders [HRDs], who may be affected by their activities. They also should not obstruct the legitimate and peaceful work of HRDs. Business enterprises can contribute to protecting human rights defenders by raising the matter with the authorities. As part of its State duty to protect, Switzerland supports the work of HRDs and is committed to ensuring that they are protected against unfair treatment, threats and violence, including abuses committed by private companies. The FDFA’s [Federal Department of Foreign Affairs] guidelines on human rights defenders are intended to raise awareness among Swiss representations abroad about their role and the resources available to them.