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 continued and alarming trend of violence against those protecting the environment and their communities, with 79 land and environmental defenders killed in Colombia last year alone.
Of the 196 total defenders killed globally in 2023, nearly 40% were in Colombia, or two out of every five, underscoring the South American nation’s deep crisis with environmental conservation efforts. According to Global Witness, these numbers bring the total global defender deaths between 2012 and 2023 to 2,106, with Colombia accounting for 461 of these tragic fatalities, the highest recorded of any country.
The report, released on September 10 in London, further details that Latin America continues to be the most dangerous region for defenders, with a staggering 166 killings across the region in 2023. Brazil followed Colombia with 25 deaths, while Mexico and Honduras each recorded 18. Central America, in particular, has emerged as one of the most perilous places for defenders, with Honduras witnessing the highest number of deaths per capita.
The alarming statistics reveal the persistent threats facing individuals who challenge industries that exploit land and resources. These activists, often from Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, bear the brunt of the violence. According to the report, 49% of the total killings involved Indigenous Peoples and Afro-descendants, reflecting a disproportionate impact on these vulnerable groups.
A Global Pattern of Violence and Intimidation
Global Witness, the UK-based conservation watchdog, has documented a chilling pattern of violence against land and environmental defenders over the years. The organization’s latest findings indicate that the trend is far from slowing. “As the climate crisis accelerates, those who use their voice to courageously defend our planet are met with violence, intimidation, and murder,” said Laura Furones, Senior Advisor to the Land and Environmental Defenders Campaign at Global Witness.
Furones emphasized 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 idly by; they must take decisive action,” she urged.
Mining emerged as the most dangerous industry for defenders, responsible for 25 deaths globally in 2023. Of these, 23 occurred in Latin America, reflecting the region’s long-standing tension between extractive industries and local communities. 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.
Asia, home to vital reserves of critical minerals necessary for clean energy technologies, also witnessed significant violence against defenders. Over 40% of mining-related killings between 2012 and 2023 occurred in the region, further highlighting 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 defenders globally. The use of enforced disappearances, abductions, and criminalization of activists has become a widespread tactic to silence opposition. Countries like the Philippines and Mexico have become notorious for these forms of repression. Moreover, the Global Witness report points to a disturbing trend in which laws are increasingly weaponized against defenders in regions not traditionally associated with high levels of violence, such as Europe, the UK, and the United States.
“In places like the US and Europe, we are seeing more and more instances where environmental activists face legal repercussions for their efforts,” Furones explained. Harsh sentences and growing restrictions on protest movements have created an environment where defenders are under attack on multiple fronts, whether through legal systems or violent means.
Nonhle Mbuthuma, the 2024 Goldman Environmental Prize winner and prominent South African activist, echoed these sentiments. “Across every corner of the globe, those who dare to expose the devastating impact of extractive industries—deforestation, pollution, and land grabbing—are met with violence and intimidation,” Mbuthuma stated. She noted that Indigenous groups remain especially at risk, despite their crucial role in the global fight against climate change.
The Global Witness report serves as a sobering reminder of the mounting risks faced by land and environmental defenders, even as governments worldwide pledge to address the climate crisis. Since the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015, at least 1,500 defenders have been killed, underscoring the gap between climate pledges and the protection of those working on the frontlines of environmental justice.
Furones called for stronger international action, emphasizing that the protection of defenders is integral to achieving global climate goals. “We cannot afford to, nor should we tolerate, losing any more lives,” she said. “Activists and their communities are essential in efforts to prevent and remedy harms caused by climate-damaging industries. It’s time for governments to act decisively.”
The continued violence against environmental defenders reflects not only the risks posed by extractive industries but also the broader systemic failures to protect human rights in the face of global environmental challenges. As Colombia and other nations grapple with these tragic numbers, the need for comprehensive protection and justice for defenders has never been more urgent. The release of the Global Witness report comes just one month before Colombia hosts the COP16 biodiversity conference in Cali (October 21 – November 1), placing further international attention on the country’s environmental record amidst rising calls for action.
