Global Witness Reports 124 Defender Killings in 2025
A new report indicates that violence against land and environmental activists remains concentrated in Latin America, with specific groups facing disproportionate risk.
According to a new report by Global Witness, at least 124 land and environmental defenders were killed globally in 2025. This figure brings the total number of documented killings and disappearances since 2012 to 2,375. The data underscores a persistent crisis in the protection of individuals who advocate for environmental integrity and land rights, with the majority of victims belonging to marginalized communities.
Latin America continues to be the deadliest region for these defenders, accounting for 85% of the 2025 killings. Colombia and Brazil were the most affected countries, together representing more than half of the global total. The report highlights that land disputes were the primary trigger for over half of the documented deaths, with extractive industries and agribusiness also frequently linked to the violence.
Regional Concentration of Violence
Colombia recorded the highest number of killings for the fourth consecutive year, with 39 documented cases. Brazil followed with 26 deaths, a significant increase from the previous year. Other countries with high casualty counts include Honduras, the Philippines, Mexico, and Guatemala. In Asia, while the number of documented killings was lower, the report notes a rising trend of criminalization and intimidation tactics used against defenders.
The report indicates that organized crime and hitmen were linked to more than one-third of the killings. In many cases, perpetrators were identified as actors associated with criminal networks rather than state officials. This suggests that the violence is often driven by private economic interests and local power dynamics rather than direct government policy, although the lack of effective state protection remains a critical factor.
Targeting of Indigenous Communities
Indigenous Peoples and small-scale farmers were highly targeted in 2025. According to the data, 44 Indigenous people were killed, including seven members of Indigenous Guard units. These groups are frequently the first to confront illegal logging, mining, and land encroachment, making them primary targets for those seeking to control natural resources.
The report emphasizes that defenders are rarely targeted in isolation. Instead, they are often part of broader community efforts to protect their territories. This context is crucial for understanding the motivations behind the violence, which is frequently a response to collective resistance against commercial exploitation of land and environment.
Collective Protection Strategies
In response to these threats, communities across multiple countries are adopting collective protection mechanisms. These strategies include territorial patrols, early warning systems, and community monitoring networks. Such approaches are described as preventive and life-affirming, contrasting with individual and reactive protection models that have often proven insufficient.
Global Witness argues that these community-led initiatives recognize the collective nature of the threats faced by defenders. By strengthening internal security and monitoring capabilities, these groups aim to mitigate risks before violence occurs. The report suggests that supporting these collective efforts is essential for improving the safety of environmental advocates worldwide.
