Global Witness: 200 Environmental Defenders Killed in 2023, Colombia Tops List
A new report reveals nearly 200 environmental activists were murdered globally in 2023, with Colombia accounting for 40% of deaths. Latin America remains the deadliest region for defenders.
Global Witness, an environmental watchdog organization founded in 1993, has released a sobering report detailing the dangers faced by environmental defenders worldwide. The report reveals that nearly 200 activists were killed in 2023 while striving to protect the environment.
Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement in December 2015, which aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, over 1,500 environmental defenders have lost their lives. This brings the total number of documented killings to 2,106 since Global Witness began its investigations.
Latin America, home to approximately 40% of the world's biodiversity and 25% of its forests, has been identified as the most perilous region for environmental activists. Colombia, one of the most biodiverse nations globally with about 10% of the world's species, accounted for 40% of all reported deaths in 2023. The country's ongoing internal armed conflict, which has persisted since the 1960s, has exacerbated land disputes and human rights violations.
In Mexico, the world's largest silver producer and a significant source of gold, copper, and zinc, 18 activists were reportedly murdered last year. The report highlights the disappearance of individuals defending indigenous rights against the expansion of mining operations in areas dominated by criminal organizations.
The Philippines has been ranked as the "deadliest place in Asia for land and environmental defenders" by Global Witness. Of the 468 activists murdered in Asia between 2012 and 2023, 64% occurred in the Philippines. Despite ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance in 2018, the country continues to face challenges in protecting environmental defenders.
The case of Jonila Castro and Jhed Tamano in the Philippines illustrates the dangers faced by activists. The two women were abducted and detained for 17 days in September 2023 while investigating the impact of reclamation activities in Manila Bay. They reported experiencing psychological torture and threats during their captivity.
"If you are an activist here in the Philippines you must know that there is a risk."
The Global Witness report emphasizes that criminalization is increasingly used as a method of repression against environmental defenders, alongside abductions, illegal land grabs, and murder. These tactics are designed to intimidate communities and suppress opposition to environmentally destructive projects.
As the world grapples with the climate crisis and the increasing demand for critical minerals essential for clean energy technologies, the pressure on environmental defenders is likely to intensify. The United Nations Human Rights Council's recognition of the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment in 2021 underscores the importance of protecting those who defend these rights.
The findings of this report serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by environmental activists worldwide and the urgent need for increased protection and support for those defending our planet.
