A new report by Global Witness has highlighted the rising violence against land and environmental defenders, revealing that at least 196 defenders were killed in 2023 while protecting their homes, communities, or the planet. This brings the total number of reported killings between 2012 and 2023 to a staggering 2,106.
Colombia remains the deadliest country for environmental defenders, with 79 deaths in 2023, a sharp increase from 60 in 2022 and 33 in 2021. This makes Colombia the country with the highest number of defender killings globally, accounting for 461 deaths over the past decade.
Latin America as a region remains highly dangerous for defenders. Brazil recorded 25 killings in 2023, while Mexico and Honduras each saw 18. Honduras also had the highest number of killings per capita, underscoring the risks faced by defenders across Central America. Other countries, including Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Panama, also reported deadly attacks on defenders.
Indigenous Peoples and Afrodescendants remain disproportionately targeted, making up nearly 49% of the total deaths. Many of these communities are on the frontline of environmental protection but face deep-rooted violence linked to corporate and government interests.
Mining was identified as the biggest industry driving these killings, responsible for 25 deaths in 2023, with 23 of these occurring in Latin America. Other industries, such as fishing, logging, agribusiness, and infrastructure development, also contributed to the violence.
In addition to lethal attacks, the report noted a rise in non-lethal assaults, including abductions, enforced disappearances, and criminalization, with cases emerging in countries like the Philippines and Mexico. Global trends show a crackdown on activists in Europe, the UK, and the US, where laws are increasingly weaponized against environmental defenders.
Global Witness calls for urgent action from governments to protect defenders and address the underlying drivers of violence, as land and environmental activists play a crucial role in the fight against climate change. Despite the escalating climate crisis, violence against those trying to protect the planet has continued unabated.
Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015, over 1,500 defenders have been killed globally.