In the submission, CIVICUS argues that meaningful development cannot be achieved without the realisation of human rights as both are intertwined. We also highlight that economic, land rights and indigenous people’s rights defenders are seen as a political and economic threat by vested interests as communities that traditionally relied on rivers, forests and communal land are increasingly being displaced through collusion between private corporations, government officials and politicians. Additionally, legal and policy restrictions on the work of human rights defenders and their persecution in many parts of the world are a major cause for concern. We also call for specific indicators and targets on enabling environment to measure progress of lack thereof on measures to protect human rights defenders.
