{"id":191138,"date":"2024-09-17T15:19:26","date_gmt":"2024-09-17T14:19:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/?p=191138"},"modified":"2024-09-17T15:26:57","modified_gmt":"2024-09-17T14:26:57","slug":"196-environmental-defenders-murdered-in-2023-colombia-tops-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/news\/196-environmental-defenders-murdered-in-2023-colombia-tops-list\/","title":{"rendered":"196 environmental defenders murdered in 2023, Colombia tops list"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The British human rights organisation Global Witness has published its annual report on violence against environmental defenders. The figures are once again shocking: at least 196 environmental human rights defenders were murdered worldwide in 2023. The report, called Missing Voices: The Violent Erasure of Land and Environmental Defenders<\/a>, reveals the threats, attacks and murders these defenders face while trying to protect nature and their communities. The findings shed light on the global failure to secure the rights of conservationists and protect them from violence.<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n
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With COP16 approaching, we reflect on the Global Witness report and the opportunity of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) for the protection of environmental human rights defenders. \u2018COP16 in Cali offers a crucial opportunity to convey a powerful message: it is possible to live in peace with nature, while recognising and protecting the intrinsic connection of people and the environment,\u2019 says Liliana Jauregui, senior expert environmental justice at IUCN NL. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Crucial role of environmental defenders<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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The Global Witness report highlights the indispensable role of environmental defenders in protecting our planet. They are committed to conserving forests, rivers, oceans and other crucial ecosystems – vital areas in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss. Indigenous people play a vital role in this: they manage a third of the world’s protected areas and protect as much as 80% of the remaining biodiversity<\/a>. Their knowledge and involvement are crucial for sustainable solutions, but they are often targets of violence because they oppose economic interests such as mining, agriculture and logging. In 2023, 43% of the conservationists killed were Indigenous peoples.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Colombia tops list<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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For environmental human rights defenders, Latin America is the most dangerous region, where 85% of killings take place, according to Global Witness’ report. Colombia continues to have the highest number of defender killed. In 2023, 79 activists were murdered in Colombia, accounting for over a third of global victims. Again, these are often Indigenous people, as well as defenders from Afro-Colombian communities and farmers aiming to protect their land amd the environment from mining, logging and large-scale agricultural projects.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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According to Global Witness, the situation in Colombia has worsened as armed groups and criminal organisations increasingly exert power in rural areas. Those who resist, often become victims of intimidation, violence and even murder.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\u2018The global fight for the rights of these people is an urgent issue that requires action at local, regional and international levels.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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