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Global crisis: 146 Land and Environmental Defenders Silenced in 2024
London & Srinagar – A staggering 146 individuals who bravely defended land and environmental rights were murdered or forcibly disappeared worldwide in 2024, according to a recently released report. The findings underscore a continuing global crisis, revealing a pattern of violence against those challenging powerful interests, with little accountability for perpetrators.
A Disturbing Decline in Safety
Although the number of reported killings represents a slight decrease from the 196 recorded in 2023, experts caution against interpreting this as genuine progress. Underreporting, difficulties in verifying incidents within active conflict zones, and an atmosphere of fear that compels victims’ families and communities into silence all contribute to an incomplete picture. The true extent of the violence is likely much greater.
Latin America Remains the Epicenter
The report pinpointed Latin America as the most dangerous region,accounting for 82 percent of all documented killings in 2024.Colombia topped the list with 48 deaths, representing nearly one-third of global cases. Victims predominantly comprised community leaders, Indigenous rights advocates, and smallholder farmers opposing Mining operations , agribusiness expansion, and organized crime.
Mexico followed with 19 documented cases, while Brazil registered 12 killings, many targeting small-scale farmers. Guatemala experienced a especially alarming surge in violence, with killings rising from four in 2023 to 20 in 2024, establishing the country with the highest per capita murder rate for defenders globally. This escalation occurred despite a change in leadership and promises of reform.
| Country | Number of Killings/Disappearances (2024) |
|---|---|
| Colombia | 48 |
| Mexico | 19 |
| brazil | 12 |
| guatemala | 20 |
| Total (Latin America) | 82% of Global Total |
Who is at Risk?
The report identified distinct patterns in the individuals most frequently targeted. Indigenous defenders and small-scale farmers collectively represented nearly two-thirds of all cases-45 of each were killed or disappeared during 2024. These attacks are often directly linked to profitable industries, with Mining being the deadliest sector, associated with 29 killings. Logging contributed to eight deaths, and agribusiness to four.
organized crime was implicated in nearly a third of all attacks, frequently operating in collaboration with or with the tacit approval of state forces. Disturbingly, State actors -including police and military personnel- were linked to 17 killings. In Colombia, a mere 5.2 percent of murders targeting social leaders since 2002 have resulted in convictions, allowing those responsible to act with impunity.
The Challenge of Impunity and documentation
Global Witness systematically gathers this data by reviewing publicly available data, analyzing datasets, and collaborating with local and regional organizations across more than 20 countries. Each case requires self-reliant verification from credible sources, detailing the victim’s identity and thier connection to land or environmental defense.Despite these efforts, the organization acknowledges that the actual number of attacks is highly likely an underestimate due to challenges in documenting violence in authoritarian regimes, regions with limited civil society presence, and active conflict zones.
Stories Behind the Statistics
Beyond the numbers lie individual stories illustrating the human cost of this crisis. In Nigeria, the Ekuri community, long committed to protecting one of West Africa’s remaining tropical rainforests, faces threats from armed loggers and corrupt officials. Activist Odey Oyama was arrested in January 2025 and falsely charged with inciting communal conflict,a charge that carries a life sentence.In Chile, 72-year-old Mapuche leader Julia Chufil disappeared in November 2024 while defending ancestral land from forestry corporations. In Colombia, Campesino leader Jani Silva continues to recieve state protection due to persistent death threats, though she describes the measures as isolating.
Escalating Repression Tactics
The report emphasizes that lethal attacks represent only the most visible form of violence against defenders. They also endure harassment, sexual violence, smear campaigns, and criminalization.There is a growing trend of restrictive laws being enacted globally to criminalize peaceful protest. Moreover, the use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) and toxic narratives aimed at discrediting defenders are eroding protections.
Did You Know? Indigenous Peoples manage over a third of Earth’s protected land and consistently demonstrate more effective conservation outcomes than many officially protected areas.
The Long-Term Implications
The escalating violence against land and environmental defenders poses a serious threat to global conservation efforts and the fight against climate change. These individuals often stand as the first line of defense against deforestation, unsustainable resource extraction, and environmental degradation.
Their protection is not solely a matter of human rights; it is intrinsically linked to the health of the planet. Supporting these defenders is crucial for achieving lasting growth goals and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a land and environmental defender? A person who takes action to protect land, natural resources, or the environment from harm, often in the face of opposition from powerful interests.
- Why are land defenders being targeted? They are often seen as obstacles to profitable activities like mining, logging, and large-scale agriculture.
- What is the role of impunity in this crisis? A lack of accountability for perpetrators emboldens further violence and creates a climate of fear.
- What can be done to protect land defenders? Strengthening laws, increasing accountability, and providing adequate protection mechanisms are crucial steps.
- How does this impact climate change? Land defenders often protect forests and ecosystems that are vital for carbon sequestration and climate regulation.
- What role do corporations play in this violence? Corporations involved in extractive industries can contribute to violence through their actions or inaction.
- Is this violence limited to certain regions? While Latin America is the most affected region, land defenders face threats globally.
what steps can governments take to improve the safety of land and environmental defenders in your region? Share your thoughts in the comments below,and share this article to raise awareness about this critical issue.
How does the increasing violence against land and environmental defenders correlate with resource extraction activities?
Global Crisis: 146 Land and Environmental Defenders Killed or Disappeared in 2022
The Escalating Violence Against Environmental activists
In 2022, a harrowing 146 land and environmental defenders where killed, and countless others disappeared, according to Global Witness and other monitoring organizations. This represents a continuation of a disturbing trend, highlighting the immense risks faced by individuals and communities fighting to protect our planet. These defenders – including indigenous peoples, farmers, journalists, and human rights advocates – are on the front lines of conservation, frequently enough challenging powerful economic interests. The term “environmental defender” encompasses a broad range of activists working on issues like deforestation, mining, water rights, and climate change.
Regional Breakdown of Attacks: Hotspots of Violence
The violence isn’t evenly distributed. Certain regions consistently experience a disproportionately high number of attacks against land and environmental defenders:
* Colombia: Remains the most dangerous country, with 60 killings recorded in 2022. Conflicts over land, illegal mining, and drug trafficking fuel much of the violence.
* Honduras: Experienced 26 killings, largely linked to conflicts over land rights and agricultural projects.
* Mexico: Saw 14 killings, often connected to logging, mining, and water defense.
* Brazil: Recorded 31 killings, primarily targeting defenders opposing deforestation in the Amazon rainforest and land grabbing.
* Philippines: 11 killings were reported, frequently linked to resistance against mining operations and logging.
These figures, while stark, are likely underestimates due to underreporting and difficulties in investigating crimes in remote areas. The data consistently points to a correlation between increased resource extraction and heightened risk for defenders.
Who is Targeting Environmental Defenders?
Identifying the perpetrators is crucial to addressing the crisis. The attacks are rarely random acts of violence. Common actors include:
* Paramilitary Groups & Organized Crime: Frequently enough hired by businesses to intimidate or eliminate opposition.
* Security Forces: State actors sometimes directly participate in or turn a blind eye to violence against defenders.
* Corporations & Businesses: While rarely directly implicated in killings, their pursuit of profit frequently enough creates the conditions that lead to violence. Industries like logging, mining, agribusiness, and hydropower are frequently linked to attacks.
* Land Grabbers: individuals or groups illegally seizing land, often displacing communities and destroying ecosystems.
The Intersection of Environmental defense and Human Rights
The attacks on land and environmental defenders are fundamentally human rights violations. They frequently enough target vulnerable populations, including Indigenous communities, who have a deep connection to the land and rely on it for their livelihoods and cultural survival.
* Indigenous Rights: Indigenous peoples are disproportionately affected, representing a significant percentage of those killed. Their traditional knowledge and stewardship are vital for conservation.
* Right to a Healthy Environment: The defense of land and the environment is intrinsically linked to the right to a healthy environment, recognized by the UN human Rights Council.
* Freedom of Expression: Journalists and activists documenting environmental crimes are also frequently targeted, silencing critical voices.
Case Study: Berta Cáceres and the Lenca People of Honduras
The 2016 assassination of Berta Cáceres, a Lenca Indigenous activist in Honduras, remains a potent symbol of the risks faced by environmental defenders. Cáceres led protests against the construction of the Agua zarca hydroelectric dam on lands sacred to her people. Despite investigations and arrests, full justice has yet to be served, highlighting the impunity frequently enough enjoyed by those who target defenders. Her case brought international attention to the plight of environmental activists in Honduras and the broader region.
The Role of Impunity and Lack of Accountability
A key driver of the violence is the pervasive impunity enjoyed by perpetrators. Weak legal frameworks, corruption, and a lack of political will to investigate and prosecute crimes contribute to this problem.
* Weak Legal Protections: Many countries lack adequate laws to protect environmental defenders.
* Corruption: Corruption within law enforcement and the judiciary hinders investigations and allows perpetrators to evade justice.
* Lack of Political Will: governments often prioritize economic interests over the protection of defenders.
what Can Be Done? Supporting Land and Environmental Defenders
Addressing this crisis requires a multi-faceted approach:
* Strengthening Legal Protections: Governments must enact and enforce laws that protect environmental defenders.
* Promoting Accountability: Investigations into attacks must be thorough, impartial, and obvious, with perpetrators brought to justice.
* Supporting Local organizations: Providing financial and logistical support to grassroots organizations working on the ground.
* Corporate Accountability: Holding companies accountable for their environmental and social impacts, including ensuring they do not contribute to violence against defenders.Due diligence processes are crucial.
* International Pressure: International organizations and governments must exert pressure on countries with high rates of violence against defenders.
* Raising Awareness: Increasing public awareness about the plight of environmental defenders and the importance of their work.
Resources for further Data
* Global Witness: https://www.globalwitness.org/
* Front Line Defenders: https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/
* Human Rights Watch: https://www.hrw.org/
