Global Witness Report Highlights Rising Violence Against Environmental Defenders
A new report details the escalating risks faced by those protecting land and ecosystems, noting that 124 individuals were murdered last year. The analysis argues that narratives of development are often used to stigmatize Indigenous resistance.
The global landscape for land and environmental defenders has become increasingly dangerous, according to a new report from Global Witness. The organization states that 124 people were murdered last year for their activism, a figure that likely undercounts the true toll as many victims go unrecorded. This statistic underscores a persistent failure of state and corporate actors to protect those who stand up against environmental destruction and dispossession.
The report, dedicated to the memory of those who have lost their lives, highlights a pattern of criminalization targeting Indigenous communities and local activists. Rather than being supported in their efforts to safeguard critical ecosystems, defenders are frequently labeled as obstructionists or terrorists. This narrative, described by contributors as rooted in colonial dismissal, serves to delegitimize ancestral knowledge and justify the seizure of land for projects often marketed as sustainable or developmental.
Indigenous resistance framed as obstruction
Joan Carling, Executive Director of Indigenous Peoples’ Rights International, notes that the rhetoric used to stigmatize defenders has remained unchanged for decades. In the 1980s, communities resisting the Chico River Dam in the Philippines were accused of opposing progress, while today, similar labels are applied to those protecting biodiversity. Carling argues that this discourse ignores the vital role Indigenous knowledge plays in sustainable agriculture and climate-resilient water management, instead framing their stewardship as a barrier to economic activity.
According to the report, this exclusion from decision-making spaces has significant consequences. Projects promoted as climate solutions, such as renewable energy infrastructure and mining for transition minerals, frequently drive land grabs and violence. The term "green colonialism" is used to describe this dynamic, where the pursuit of environmental goals results in the dispossession of the very communities that possess the traditional practices necessary for long-term ecological health.
Case studies in criminalization
Specific examples illustrate the severity of these threats. In Indonesia, Dayak communities organized to impose customary sanctions on a company destroying peatlands and orangutan habitats. Instead of being recognized for protecting carbon-rich ecosystems, a community leader was charged with extortion for using traditional practices to hold the corporation accountable. This case exemplifies how legal systems are often weaponized against defenders who attempt to enforce environmental standards through local governance structures.
In the Philippines, one of the deadliest regions for environmental activism, the Cordillera Peoples Alliance faced financial and legal pressures after its leaders were classified as terrorists. The organization, which grew out of early 20th-century resistance to dam construction, had its bank accounts frozen. These actions suggest a coordinated effort to dismantle the financial and operational capacity of groups that challenge state-backed or corporate projects, leaving defenders vulnerable to further threats.
Future challenges for collective action
The report emphasizes the need for collective global efforts to address the climate crisis, rather than relying on isolated responses. However, the current trajectory suggests that without robust protections and genuine inclusion of Indigenous voices in policy-making, the risks to defenders will continue to escalate. The forward-looking challenge lies in shifting the narrative from viewing defenders as obstacles to recognizing them as essential partners in achieving sustainable development and climate justice.
