On 5 July 2024, Justice pour Tous Internationale co-organized with the International Pro-bono Legal Services Association a panel discussion at the Human Rights Council to address how oppressive regulations hinder small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurship. The discussion highlighted the necessity for protective measures and support systems to ensure the survival and prosperity of (SMEs) and the need for a UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Entrepreneurs. The association called for balanced regulatory frameworks and support from UN member states to protect entrepreneurs’ rights and promote economic growth and sustainable development.
On 5 July 2024, during the 56th Session of the Human Rights Council, Justice Pour Tous Internationale had the honor of participating in and co-organizing with the International Pro-bono Legal Services Association a panel discussion titled “Addressing the Disparity in Human Rights Implementation for Entrepreneurs” at Room XXV, Palais des Nations.
Justice pour Tous Internationale addressed the critical issue of how oppressive regulatory frameworks and judicial overreach stifle entrepreneurial initiatives and undermine economic growth. The speech emphasized the necessity for protective measures and support systems to ensure the survival and prosperity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in volatile environments.
KEY POINTS FROM THE ADDRESS INCLUDED:
• The adverse impact of the Finance Bill 2024 protests in Kenya on SMEs.
• The need for balanced regulatory frameworks that support rather than stifle entrepreneurship.
• The advocacy for a new UN mandate for a Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Entrepreneurs.
• The negative impact of unilateral sanctions on Chinese entrepreneurs, particularly in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and Hong Kong.
The address highlighted the unintended consequences of sanctions, which often lead to over-compliance by businesses. This over-compliance can result in the avoidance of associations with Uyghur entrepreneurs, exacerbating their economic marginalization. Similarly, the business environment in Hong Kong faces challenges due to political and economic pressures.
The erosion of entrepreneurial rights and freedoms has far-reaching implications for economic growth, social development, and the achievement of the SDGs. As we move towards the 13th Forum on Business and Human Rights in November this year and the Tenth Session of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises with Respect to Human Rights in October 2024, we call upon this Council and the Working Group to support our initiative to organize sessions dedicated to this critical issue and to advocate for the establishment of a Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Entrepreneurs.
Support from UN member states, civil society, and OHCHR in protecting entrepreneurs’ rights and incorporating their concerns into the UN agenda is vital to fostering a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world. Entrepreneurs are pivotal in driving innovation, creating jobs, and fostering economic growth. It is crucial that we address the human rights challenges they face and work towards creating a supportive environment that upholds their rights and promotes sustainable development.
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