July 24 (UPI) -- At least 207 land and environmental activists around the world were killed in 2017, making it the deadliest year on record, British organization Global Witness said in a report Tuesday.
The report, At What Cost?, shows the rise in killings has been linked to an increased demand for consumer products like palm oil and coffee.
A growing number of attacks are carried out against people who refuse to give up their land to grow these products, Global Witness said. But demand in other industries, such as mining, also result in killings against indigenous leaders, community activists and environmentalists trying to protect their land.
"Local activists are being murdered as governments and businesses value quick profit over human life," said Ben Leather, a senior campaigner at Global Witness. "Many of the products emerging from this bloodshed are on the shelves of our supermarkets. Yet as brave communities stand up to corrupt officials, destructive industries and environmental devastation, they are being brutally silenced. Enough is enough."
Latin America accounted for about 60 percent of the killings. The deadliest country for land activists was Brazil, where 57 died last year. Mexico and Peru saw dramatic increases in killings, from 3 to 15 and 2 to 8, respectively. And Nicaragua, with a population of 6 million people, saw 4 homicides of land activists, making it the deadliest country per capita.
John Knox, the U.N. special rapporteur on human rights and the environment, told Al Jazeera Latin America's population and corruption make it dangerous ground for environmental activists.
"You see indigenous peoples who are still directly dependent on natural resources in forests or sometimes fisheries who are already discriminated against or marginalized," he said. "When conflicts between the companies and governments that want to profit from natural resources and the people who depend upon them occur in countries or regions that have a weak rule of law, then they are much more likely to result in violence and killing."
The Philippines was the deadliest country in Asia and second-deadliest in the world. Culprits vary, with criminal gangs blamed for at least 90 deaths last year, and government forces for at least 53.
The deadliest industry was agribusiness, in which 46 land activists were killed. At least 40 were killed in the mining sector and 23 in the logging industry.
Data limits means the numbers of those killed could be much higher. It also doesn't include people attacked in other ways, including death threats, arrests, intimidation, cyber-attacks, sexual assault and lawsuits, the organization said.
"The appalling stories of women threatened with rape, homes burnt down, and families attacked with machetes are shocking at an individual level," said writer and environmental activist Margaret Atwood, a supporter of Global Witness. "Collectively, they show an epidemic of violence visited upon defenders of the earth. This violation of human rights calls for vigorous protest."
Thanx Ray Downs
Knight Sha C.
My dear Friend
ReplyDeleteAren't we lucky to live in countries where we can speak out about anything or defend our rights without being killed for it?
The deforestation is tragic for the indigenous people and for all the wildlife that lives in the jungles.
The criminals and corrupt governments of these countries could care less about the forests or the environment. They are only interested in money and power. They certainly don't care about their own people.
Sadly, there isn't much we can do for those countries. It may take decades before they begin to care about deforestation or climate change. And all because of the demand for coffee and other products.
The only way we could help the native people who depend on their land to survive, is give up coffee. I would do that in a heartbeat.
Deforestation has to be regulated, worldwide before we lose all wildlife. But as long as the population of the world keeps growing and requires feeding, land will have to be cleared for crops.
That's what we call a 'catch-22' situation. A situation from which there is no escape because of contradictory conditions.
This article and others like it must be written to enlighten us to conditions in other countries. It's something we would never think about otherwise.
Well done Sweetie
Love Knight Aunt Jeannie
Yes we are very lucky , some people fail to realize that fact , uncle Jon is a Knight reporter , he found this article , said we should post what's happening in 3rd world countries , maybe others will realize how lucky we are and see that others will die for their cause , uncle Jon said we had it easy compared to other countries .
ReplyDeleteAunt Jeannie , that's wishful thinking , not many people will give up coffee to help those countries those people depend on the sale of their good to survive . A few people can't solve the problem the vast majority has to get on board to make a difference , this boat has to float or we all sink .
The youths of today is the voters of tomorrow the criminals and corrupt governments will have to give in count for their actions and the kids that's coming behind us will be even stronger .
When will all these crazy people realize they are doing evil , there are no seven virgins waiting for them wherever they go .
Thank you
Love to you aunt Jeannie .
Knight Sha C.
July 26 ,2018
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