[Event] Respecting Human Rights Defenders and Human Rights Due Diligence

February 19, 2025

Toward realising a Just Transition through respecting the rights of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) and Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD)

In recent years, the importance of Just Transition has grown significantly in the context of climate action. It is also an essential framework for promoting corporate responsibility in respect of human rights from a Business and Human Rights (BHR) perspective. However, alongside environmental and human rights risks at mining sites—such as human rights abuses and health hazards for local communities—the suppression of human rights defenders (HRDs) who raise their voices against these issues has become a serious concern.

This event, co-hosted by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC) and Human Rights Now (HRN), will explore the current state of Just Transition in Japan, the challenges companies face, and the strategies needed to ensure a fair and sustainable transition that respects human rights.

Event details

【Date】3 March 2025 (Monday) 16:00-17:20 JST/ 8:00-9:20 CET

【Venue】Hybrid  * In-person participation is by invitation only.

【Language】Simultaneous interpretation available (Japanese/English)

【Organiser】Human Rights Now, the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre

【Online Registration】https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MkIo0f3FSMim8vOqgIO95w

Formality Hybrid
Time 16:00-17:20
Target audience Private sector, investors, CSOs, academia, international organisations (IOs)
Objective
  • Japanese business, civil society and academia gain an understanding of trends related to global just transition and the development of transition mineral mining and renewable energy projects in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • Understand the role of human rights defenders in driving corporate Just Transition, the risks they face and how companies can address this through the human rights due diligence process
Speakers Christen Dobson(Co-Head, CFs & HRDs Programme/Business and Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC))

Pochoy P. Labog(Southeast Asia Researcher & Representative/Business and Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC))

Yuka Yamaguchi(Business and Human Rights Project Officer/Human Rights Now (HRN))

Human rights defenders, companies and others
Agenda
  • Opening remarks – Pichamon Yeophantong/UN Business and Human Rights WG
  • Panel discussion
    • Current BHR policies and actions in Japanese companies – Yuka Yamaguchi
    • Leadership of human rights defenders in realizing a just energy transition – Christen Dobson
    • Human rights impacts of renewable energy and electric vehicles in the value chain – Pochoy P. Labog
    • Human rights and environmental impacts of nickel mining in Kabeana Island – Human Rights Defender from Indonesia
    • Company
  • Q&A

 

【Contact】

HRN Business and Human Rights Project

Email：info_bhr@hrn.or.jp