Nearly 200 environmental activists killed worldwide last year
Last year at least 196 environmental activists were killed worldwide. The most dangerous region for activists was Latin America, continuing a trend from last year. The data comes from a report published Tuesday by the human rights organization Global Witness. The actual number of deaths could be even higher.
Laura Furones of Global Witness said in a statement: “As the climate crisis accelerates, those who use their voice to courageously defend our planet are met with violence, intimidation, and murder. Our data shows that the number of killings remains alarmingly high, a situation that is simply unacceptable.”
Colombia witnessed the highest number of murdered activists, according to the report – 79 were killed in the country last year. This is the highest number of murders that Global Witness has ever documented in a single country. In 2022, 60 activists were killed in Colombia. According to Global Witness, organized crime groups are responsible for half of all killings of activists in the country.
Last year Global Witness expressed hope that the situation in the country would improve after President Gustavo Petro promised to better protect human rights and environmental activists. But so far Petro’s commitments have not led to a decrease in attacks – and in fact the violence seems to be increasing.
Latin America the most dangerous region
With 166 murders, Latin America is the most dangerous region for environmental activists, according to the report. In Brazil, 25 activists were killed last year – in both Mexico and Honduras, 18.
In Nicaragua ten activists were murdered. The victims there were all indigenous people who were fighting the destruction of the rainforest. The second largest rainforest in the western hemisphere is located in northern Nicaragua. The Nicaraguan government is doing nothing to stop the destruction of the forest, and in some places is even facilitating this destruction, according to Global Witness.
In Asia the NGO documented a total of 25 murders – 17 of which were in the Philippines. In previous years as well the country has seen the most killings in the region.
The deaths documented in Africa include those of two environmental activists killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo. One activist was killed in Ghana, and one in Rwanda as well.
Global Witness assumes that the actual numbers in the region are higher, “as access to information continues to be a challenge across the continent.”
Mobilizing against mining projects
Also difficult, according to the report, is establishing a direct connection between the murder of environmental activists and particular economic interests. Among cases in which it was possible to determine a connection, it was found that 25 murdered environmentalists were protesting mining projects. Activists opposing fishing, logging, farming, roads and infrastructure, and hydropower were also killed.
Seven activists protesting in the Philippines were abducted. In Mexico as well there were two cases of abduction.
Other environmentalists faced criminal charges or were victims of defamation campaigns intended to silence them.
The report also criticizes the increasingly severe measures taken against activists in Europe, the UK and the US, where “harsh sentences are more frequently imposed on those who have played a role in climate protests.” In the US, police in Atlanta, Georgia shot and killed an activist protesting the destruction of a forest.
More than 2,000 murders since 2012
Global Witness has been publishing its annual report on the murders of environmental activists since 2012. Between 2012 and 2023, the organization has documented a total of 2,106 deaths worldwide, most of them in Colombia (461). In Brazil, 401 activists were killed in the same period, in the Philippines 298, and in Mexico 203.
Global Witness demands better protections for environmental activists. Said Laura Furones: “Governments cannot stand idly by; they must take decisive action to protect defenders and to address the underlying drivers of violence against them. Activists and their communities are essential in efforts to prevent and remedy harms caused by climate damaging industries.”
The NGO calls for governments “to systematically document attacks and reprisals. New and better data on these attacks and their causes would enable governments to improve existing laws and mechanisms.” Victims of violence must also be ensured access to justice. Global Witness appeals to corporations as well, urging that they uncover, document and prevent human rights violations along their supply chains. (dpa / js)