USA – Human rights defenders and whistle-blowers

Section I: Responsible Business Conduct

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“In addition, the USG expects businesses to account for populations that face disproportionate impacts of business activity in conducting HRDD. Best practice dictates developing policies to protect HRDs and taking steps to prevent reprisals against defenders.”

(p.10)

The US government has already released U.S. Guidance for Online Platforms on Protecting Human Rights Defenders Online. (p.14)

Section III: Additional National Action Plan Commitments

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Table 3: Access to Remedy Commitments

“The Department of State will build on progress to date and intends to make the following significant changes to further improve the NCP.

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• Establishing an anti-reprisal policy: We plan to issue a clear and strong policy against reprisals. The policy is intended to address the risk of reprisals against persons or groups, including human rights, labor, and environmental defenders, against actions taken because they have submitted or are considering submitting a Specific Instance to the NCP. We will be among the first NCPs to take this significant step.” (p.21-22)

Table 6: Environment, Climate, and Just Transitions Commitments

“OES (Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs), through its informal interagency working group to reduce violence against environmental defenders, will hold a series of meetings to identify and disseminate good business and investment practices that can reduce and, ideally, prevent violence against environmental defenders. These meetings will include relevant stakeholders including members from civil society organizations and businesses. The identified good business and investment practices will ultimately be shared within the USG.” (p.35)