A/HRC/RES/31/32
and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of
morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society;
13.
Calls upon all States to ensure that information held by public authorities,
including with respect to economic, social and cultural rights, and as related to
environmental, land, natural resources and development issues, is proactively disclosed and
not unnecessarily classified or otherwise withheld from the public, and also calls upon all
States to adopt transparent, clear and expedient laws and policies that provide for the
effective disclosure of information held by public authorities and a general right to request
and receive information, for which public access should be granted, except within narrow,
proportionate, necessary and clearly defined limitations;
14.
Also calls upon all States to promote and enable public participation, and to
promote transparency, accountability and effective governance, in the prevention of and the
fight against corruption involving State officials, business representatives and other nonState actors, and in raising public awareness regarding the existence, causes and gravity of
and the threat posed by corruption, including all possible impact on the enjoyment of
economic, social and cultural rights, and further calls upon all States to respect, promote
and protect the freedom of everyone to seek, receive, publish and disseminate information
concerning corruption, including by protecting the actors doing so, including human rights
defenders;
15.
Recognizes the important and legitimate role of individuals, groups and
organs of society that are defending human rights in identifying and raising awareness of
human rights impacts, the benefits and risks of development projects and business
operations, including in relation to workplace health, safety and rights, and natural resource
exploitation, environmental, land and development issues, by expressing their views,
concerns, support, criticism or dissent regarding government policy or action or business
activities, and underlines the need for Governments to take the measures necessary to
safeguard space for such public dialogue and its participants;
16.
Encourages non-State actors to respect and promote the human rights and
fundamental freedoms of all persons, including their economic, social and cultural rights,
and to refrain from actions that undermine the capacity of human rights defenders to
operate free from hindrance and insecurity, and encourages leaders in all sectors of society
to express public support for the important and legitimate role of human rights defenders,
including women human rights defenders;
17.
Underscores in this regard the responsibility of all business enterprises, both
transnational and others, to respect human rights, including the rights to life, liberty and
security of person of human rights defenders, and their exercise of the rights to freedom of
expression, peaceful assembly and association, and participation in public affairs, which are
essential for the promotion and protection of all human rights, including economic, social
and cultural rights, and the right to development;
18.
Encourages business enterprises of all categories to avoid, identify, assess
and address any adverse human rights impact related to their activities through meaningful
consultation with potentially affected groups and other relevant stakeholders in a manner
consistent with the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Implementing the
United Nations “Protect, Respect and Remedy” Framework, 4 and underlines the importance
of accountability, including of all business enterprises, both transnational and others,
including their provision of or cooperation in remedial action, and also encourages all
business enterprises to share and exchange best practices, and to communicate externally in
4
See A/HRC/17/31, annex.
5