A Call to Action on Business and Human Rights – Faith Leaders’ Statement

A Call to Action on Business and Human Rights – Faith Leaders’ Statement

Ahead of the 11th session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on Business and Human Rights (October 2025), over 100 faith leaders and organisations have signed a call to action urging governments to support a legally binding international treaty on corporate responsibility and human rights.

This collective statement highlights:

• The human and environmental harm caused by unregulated business activities
• The spiritual and moral imperative for binding regulation
• The failure of voluntary frameworks like the UN Guiding Principles
• The urgency of protecting human rights defenders and communities

Key demands to States:

1. Uphold the primacy of human rights over profits
2. Mandate due diligence across entire corporate structures and value chains
3. Protect human rights defenders from violence and repression
4. Ensure justice for marginalised groups and affected communities

The signatories call for a treaty rooted in compassion, justice, and accountability — one that protects people and planet alike.