Implementation Guidelines for Regional Action Plan on Human Rights Defenders In the case of business entities, your NHRI could carry out meetings, open dialogues, training courses or provide them with materials to instruct them on the UN Guiding Principles of Business and Human Rights (UNGP), as well as other relevant standards. ii. Awareness-raising on violations against HRDs Your NHRI can also raise awareness of violations of the rights HRDs defend, or of their rights themselves. This could be done through public statements, publications, social media or other media campaigns, conferences, events, submissions to international bodies and mechanisms (see National Action 7), as well as direct contact with authorities. These actions should be aimed at amplifying the message of HRDs, and as all actions on HRDs, be done in consultation with them. Case Study: A land rights HRD in Thailand was fighting against a construction project that affected environmental and community rights, including by using soldiers to forcefully expel people from the territory. The National Human Rights Commission of Thailand raised awareness of the situation at the international and national level, putting pressure on local authorities, who paused the project and called for a meeting to discuss alternatives.39 iii. Awareness-raising of the rights of HRDs The promotion of HRD rights should also seek to educate society about the basic concepts of human rights work and the value HRDs bring to society. When NHRIs show public support for HRDs - including through public statements or campaigns, including on social media - it increases their visibility and legitimacy because, as mentioned above, NHRIs can usually reach a wider audience and the institutional and public nature of their work gives weight to their messages.40 Cooperation with other institutions, such as governments, international organisations, or businesses, can strengthen a campaign. The media plays an undeniable role in moulding public opinion, so working with it can serve more than just to put pressure on the government.41 Media campaigns can be used to educate about what are HRDs, the basic concepts of human rights work and the rights of defenders. iv. Activities specifically focused on WHRDs Any awareness raising campaign, advocacy program, program to strengthen national legal protections or other actions by NHRIs should be developed taking into consideration the risks faced by and needs of WHRDs. Beyond this, your NHRI can also carry out activities that have a specific focus on WHRDs, that seek to educate others and respond to the specific protection needs of WHRDs. Any activities specifically focused on WHRDs, should be guided by and developed in consultation with WHRDs. They could for example discuss gender stereotypes and other damaging social constructs, sexual harassment, and the importance of equal participation and gender equality. 24 39 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58a1a2bb9f745664e6b41612/t/5f7eddb62c1737355da32499/1618482603792/Policy+Brief+9+%28English%29.pdf p.5 40 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58a1a2bb9f745664e6b41612/t/5f7eddb62c1737355da32499/1618482603792/Policy+Brief+9+%28English%29.pdf p.5 41 https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58a1a2bb9f745664e6b41612/t/5f7eddb62c1737355da32499/1618482603792/Policy+Brief+9+%28English%29.pdf p.5