Colombia remains deadliest country for environmentalists, reveals Global Witness

Colombia has been named the deadliest country in the world for environmental defenders for the second year in a row, according to the 2023 Global Witness report. The report highlights the ongoing and worrying trend of violence against environmental defenders and their communities. Last year alone, 79 land and environmental defenders were killed in Colombia.

Of the total of 196 human rights defenders killed worldwide in 2023, almost 40% took place in Colombia, or two out of five, underscoring the South American country's deep crisis in environmental protection efforts. According to Global Witness, these figures amount to a total of 2,106 deaths worldwide between 2012 and 2023, with Colombia responsible for 461 of these tragic deaths – the highest number of any country.

The report, released in London on September 10, goes on to say that Latin America remains the most dangerous region for human rights defenders, with a horrifying 166 people killed across the region in 2023. Colombia was followed by Brazil with 25 deaths, while Mexico and Honduras each recorded 18 deaths. Central America in particular has emerged as one of the most dangerous places for human rights defenders, with Honduras recording the highest number of deaths per capita.

The alarming statistics show how people who fight back against the industries that exploit land and resources are constantly under threat. These activists, often from indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities, bear the brunt of the violence. According to the report, 49% of all murders involved members of indigenous peoples and Afro-Colombian groups, showing that these vulnerable groups are disproportionately affected.

A global pattern of violence and intimidation

Global Witness, the UK-based conservation organization, has documented a horrifying pattern of violence against land and environmental defenders over the years. The organization's latest findings suggest that this trend is far from abating. “As the climate crisis deepens, those who raise their voices to bravely defend our planet are being met with violence, intimidation and murder,” said Laura Furones, senior campaign advisor for land and environmental defenders at Global Witness.

Furones stressed the responsibility of governments to protect environmental defenders and address the root causes of violence. “Our data shows that the number of killings remains alarmingly high, a situation that is simply unacceptable. Governments cannot stand by and do nothing; they must act decisively,” she said.

Mining proved to be the most dangerous industry for the Defenders, with 25 deaths worldwide in 2023. Of these, 23 occurred in Latin America, reflecting long-standing tensions between the extractive industry and local communities in the region. Other high-risk industries included fishing, logging, agribusiness, and infrastructure projects. Despite efforts to combat climate change and reduce carbon emissions, industries linked to environmental degradation continue to claim the lives of those who stand in their way.

There has also been significant violence against activists in Asia, which has vital reserves of minerals essential to clean energy technologies. Over 40% of mining killings between 2012 and 2023 occurred in the region, underscoring the global nature of this deadly conflict between conservation and industrial interests.

While the report focuses on killings, it also sheds light on non-lethal attacks faced by human rights defenders around the world. The use of enforced disappearances, abductions and criminalization of activists has become a common tactic to silence opposition. Countries such as the Philippines and Mexico are notorious for these forms of repression. In addition, Global Witness' report highlights a worrying trend in which laws are increasingly being used as a weapon against human rights defenders in regions not traditionally associated with high levels of violence, such as Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States.

“In countries like the US and Europe, we are seeing more and more cases where environmental activists are facing legal consequences for their efforts,” Furones explained. Harsh penalties and increasing restrictions on protest movements have created an environment in which activists are attacked on multiple fronts, whether through the legal system or through violence.

Nonhle Mbuthuma, winner of the 2024 Goldman Environmental Prize and prominent South African activist, shared these views. “Around the world, those who dare to denounce the devastating impacts of extractive industries – deforestation, pollution and land grabbing – are met with violence and intimidation,” Mbuthuma said. She noted that despite their critical role in the global fight against climate change, indigenous groups remain particularly vulnerable.

Global Witness' report is a sobering reminder of the growing risks facing land and environmental defenders even as governments around the world promise to tackle the climate crisis. At least 1,500 environmental defenders have been killed since the Paris Agreement was adopted in 2015, underscoring the gap between climate promises and protections for those working on the front lines for environmental justice.

Furones called for stronger international action and stressed that protecting activists is crucial to achieving global climate goals. “We cannot afford or tolerate more lives being lost,” she said. “Activists and their communities are essential to preventing and repairing damage caused by climate-damaging industries. It is time for governments to act decisively.”

The ongoing violence against environmental defenders reflects not only the risks posed by extractive industries, but also the broader systemic failure to protect human rights in the face of global environmental challenges. In the face of these tragic numbers, Colombia and other countries are grappling with comprehensive protection and justice demands for environmental defenders. The release of the Global Witness report comes just a month before the COP16 biodiversity conference in Cali (21 October – 1 November), drawing international attention to the country's environmental record and intensifying calls for action.