More than two thousand and two hundred fifty environmental activists have met unfortunate fates, either killed or disappeared, during the course of the past twelve years.
In a chilling report that originally appeared in Mongabay, Global Witness has highlighted a concerning trend of increasing violence against environmental defenders across the globe. The report, which focuses on rangers, wildlife protectors, and those fighting for the preservation of forests, land, and water, paints a grim picture of the challenges faced by these individuals.
The report argues that these attacks are symptomatic of deeper systemic issues, including weak legal protections for land rights, impunity for assailants, and a tendency of governments and firms to view defenders as obstacles rather than partners.
Laura Furones, the report's lead author, describes the violence as 'unspeakable' and against people 'defending life itself.' The report notes a rise in non-lethal tools of repression, such as governments passing sweeping laws, bringing terrorism or tax charges, and handing down harsh sentences to environmental protesters.
Sadly, the report also documents numerous instances of lethal violence. In 2020, at least 212 deaths and disappearances of environmental defenders were reported, a significant increase from previous years. This includes the case of Julia Chuñil, a 72-year-old Mapuche leader from southern Chile who disappeared last November while fighting for her community's ancestral land rights.
The report identifies organized crime, private military forces, and hired gunmen as the leading perpetrators of violence against environmental defenders. Latin America remains the deadliest region for such incidents, with Colombia leading the world in murders for three years running. In 2020, Colombia reported 68 deaths or disappearances. The Philippines saw 37 deaths or disappearances, making it the second deadliest country.
Indigenous peoples continue to be disproportionately affected, with at least 120 of the 2020 deaths or disappearances being Indigenous people. This is particularly concerning given that Indigenous peoples make up only about 6% of the global population.
The countries most frequently targeted for attacks against environmental defenders in recent years include Colombia, the Philippines, Mexico, Brazil, and India. Guatemala recorded 20 deaths, Mexico counted at least 18, Brazil 12, and the Philippines seven. Four people vanished without a trace.
Without stronger safeguards and accountability, Global Witness warns that violence will persist even as the planet's ecological crisis deepens. The report underscores the urgent need for governments, corporations, and international bodies to take action to protect those who are on the frontlines of environmental protection.
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