Record Killing of Environmental Activists in One Year

In 2020, at least 227 environmental activists and conservationists were killed worldwide. This level of environmental crime is unprecedented. Three-quarters of the victims were from South America.

In many countries, the risk of death for environmental activists and conservationists has increased. According to a report published by the non-governmental organization “Global Witness,” in 2020, more than 227 people who were working to prevent deforestation, land grabbing, and other forms of green space and environmental destruction were killed – that is, four murders per week!

According to the organization’s statistics, three-quarters of these crimes occurred in Latin America: 65 people were killed in Colombia, 30 in Mexico, and 20 in Brazil.

“Global Witness” believes that the actual number of those killed is far greater.

In 2019, at least 212 environmental activists were killed worldwide.

The German-language news website “Tagesspiegel” reported, citing Lourdes Castro from the non-governmental organization Somos Defensores in Colombia: “2020 was the worst year in this regard. Violations against environmental activists and human rights defenders have increased sharply.”

According to this environmental activist, indigenous peoples defending their ancestral lands are attacked more than others.

Greater Importance for Humanity and Earth

The findings of “Global Witness” research show that globally, most murders of conservationists and environmental activists are related to deforestation and subsequently to dam and water infrastructure projects and agriculture.

Chris Madden, a spokesperson for the organization, says: “As long as governments do not take seriously the protection of environmental activists and commercial companies do not prioritize humanity and Earth, both environmental destruction and killings will continue.”

He emphasizes that those who risk their lives fighting the climate crisis and saving forests, rivers, and ecosystems are subjected to enormous pressure.

In addition to violent acts and killings, threats, smear campaigns, and legal action against environmental activists have increased. According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), activists are increasingly subjected to surveillance and threats online.

According to the “Global Witness” report, “Repression, intimidation, and overt surveillance can have serious effects on activists’ motivation and mental health.”

The organization’s report also states that behind violent actions are primarily commercial companies, criminal gangs, paramilitary groups, insurgents, farmers, and in some cases government officials and state institutions.

Recently, the Agence France-Presse reported that deforestation in six Brazilian ecosystems expanded to 13,853 square kilometers in 2020, which represents an increase of 13.6 percent compared to 2019.

According to this report, despite the dramatic increase in deforestation in the region, Brazil’s state environmental institute, as the most important official body monitoring deforestation, only investigated about five percent of areas where illegal tree cutting had occurred.

Source: DW