The massacre is slightly less, but it is impossible to see any reason for satisfaction there. At least 177 environmental defenders were murdered in 2022 across the world, compared to 200 in 2021, according to the annual report by the NGO Global Witness published in mid-September.
So, as the analysis Laura Furonesmember of Global Witness and at the origin of this writing, “the situation has not improved. »And to recall that this report lists assassinations but not cases of violence. The statistic is therefore chilling: on average, every two days, an environmental activist is killed across the planet.
Nine out of ten assassinations in Latin America
As Global Witness shows, the situation in Latin America remains particularly worrying. In 2022, the region recorded 88% of recorded assassinations, and 11 of the 18 countries identified by the NGO come from this area. Laura Furones explains this situation by the particular struggle of “indigenous peoples”, “communities of African descent” and “small farmers”. “Latin America is a region very rich in natural resources, which produces a large part of agricultural products for the rest of the world,” she continues. The pressure on the earth is very strong; the people who live there are forced to defend themselves.”
Brazil (34 murders), Mexico (31) and Honduras (14) are particularly exposed countries. But it is much less than Colombia, with 60 environmental defenders murdered. A figure that has doubled compared to 2021. “Colombia is experiencing a rise and renewal of activism by armed groups, almost always involved in illegal activities,” explains Laura Furones.
Poaching in Africa
The Amazon, which extends over Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana, is an area witnessing “many issues” . According to Global Witness, 39 defenders died there last year, including 11 who belonged to indigenous communities. “Year after year, those who defend this biome (…) give up their lives to protect their homes, their livelihoods and the health of our planet,” warns the NGO. “The assassination of British journalist Dom Phillips and Brazilian indigenous expert Bruno Pereira in the Brazilian Amazon has become a symbol of the growing violence in this region, where drug traffickers, illegal miners and poachers operate,” continues Laura Foranes.
But Latin America is not the only one concerned. Example with the Democratic Republic of Congo, in central Africa. “Between 2012 and 2022, at least 72 defenders were killed in the DRC,” the author tells us. Most of these killings are linked to land conflicts or poaching, and often take place in nature reserves.” Last year, two forest rangers were killed in Virunga Park in the east of the country. Management indicated in 2021 that more than 200 guards have been killed since 1996. And “in Africa, it is likely that the figures given by the report are underestimated, because not all the media do documentation work”.
At least 1,910 assassinations since 2012
Ultimately, the report points out, at least 1,910 land defenders have lost their lives around the world since Global Witness began documenting these assassinations in 2012. “This report does not only serve to identify the number of dead defenders , but to call on governments to better protect citizens and workers who are fighting to save their environment. » justifies Laura Foranes.
And Europe is not immune: “Western countries like France or Spain are also concerned, because we are witnessing an increase in violence against citizens who protest against the government or certain multinationals. »