Weekly Report in 2024: Three Advocates for Environmental Protection Met with Tragic Fates
A chilling trend is emerging across the globe, as environmental defenders face increasing threats and violence in their quest to protect the planet's precious resources. This article sheds light on some of the heartbreaking stories of these brave individuals, who have paid the ultimate price for their dedication.
In Chile, Julia Chuñil, a prominent Mapuche community leader, has gone missing. Her disappearance is believed to be linked to her tireless efforts to reclaim ancestral Mapuche lands and safeguard the Valdivian forest. Chuñil is one of 146 environmental defenders killed or disappeared last year, according to Global Witness.
Similarly, in Brazil, Nega Pataxó, a spiritual leader for the Indigenous Pataxó people, was tragically killed in 2024. Pataxó's life was taken in an attack by more than 200 farmers, coordinated through WhatsApp. The cause of his death remains unpunished, as no one has been held accountable.
The Putumayo region in Colombia serves as a battleground for control over land and resources. Mining companies, oil firms, and drug trafficking groups seek to invade rural communities, leading to a high number of recorded attacks on environmental defenders. Jani Silva, a local leader in the region, has faced death threats and assassination attempts for over a decade due to her advocacy for land rights.
In Nigeria, the Cross River rainforest, home to the Ekuri community of Indigenous Nkukorli peoples, is under threat from illegal loggers. Odey Oyama, an Ekuri activist, was arrested and charged with promoting inter-communal war for trying to stop illegal loggers from moving stolen timber from the forest. The state government's logging moratorium on the Ekuri's revenue stream from sustainable timber sales has funnelled the timber trade towards criminal groups, leading to the destruction of about 40% of the Ekuri community's forest since 2018.
The mining industry was linked to the largest share of attacks last year, with 29 cases. Africa and Asia likely have an undercount of murders, with 16 and 9 recorded deaths last year, respectively. Global Witness identified Colombia, Mexico, and the Philippines as the regions with the most recorded attacks on environmental defenders, where the majority of victims were opponents of the extractive industry.
Guatemala recorded the largest toll per capita, with killings increasing fivefold from 2023, largely due to a surge in crime linked to land grabs and environmental exploitation. Colombia had the largest share of reported attacks, with 48 cases, down from 79 in 2023.
It is alarming to note that around a third of victims were Indigenous people, a group that makes up only 6% of the global population. Since 2012, more than 2,253 environmental defenders have been murdered or disappeared, according to Global Witness.
Despite the risks, many continue to stand up for their communities and the environment. Silva, for instance, helped establish Colombia's first protected peasant reserves and has an immense responsibility to protect the oxygen produced by forests and wetlands.
The tragic loss of these environmental defenders underscores the urgent need for increased protection and support for those who are working to preserve our planet's precious resources. As consumers, it is our responsibility to ensure that our actions do not contribute to this crisis. By choosing products that are sustainably sourced and supporting organisations that protect environmental defenders, we can help to create a safer world for these brave individuals and for future generations.
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