Colombia is the World’s Deadliest Place for Environmental Activists
Collage of images depicting environmental violence in Colombia. X/ @SomosAbyaYala
September 10, 2024 Hour: 11:22 am
At least 461 defenders of nature were killed in this South American country between 2012 and 2023.
On Monday, the administration of President Gustavo Petro acknowledged the “severity” of the situation faced by environmental leaders after a report by the NGO Global Witness identified Colombia as the deadliest nation for environmental activists.
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“The national government recognizes the severe situation stemming from socio-environmental conflicts linked to drug trafficking, extractivist practices tied to illicit economies, and the reconfiguration of the armed conflict,” the Environmental Ministry stated.
Authorities from the ministries of environment, interior, and defense are working together to address this issue through “a comprehensive strategy to ensure the safety and lives of environmental defenders.”
As part of the government’s response, the Environmental Ministry has increased the budget allocated for collective protection, and the Interior Ministry has quadrupled funding for the establishment of the National Guarantees Roundtable, which addresses issues leading to the murders and assaults of environmental defenders. Currently, there are 16 active Territorial Guarantees Roundtables in Colombia.
Additionally, Colombian authorities are promoting the effective implementation of the Escazú Agreement, an international treaty aimed at protecting environmental defenders and upholding the rights of access to information, public participation, and access to justice on environmental issues.
In 2023, Colombia was once again the most dangerous country in the world for environmental activism, with 79 environmental activists killed. This figure accounts for 40 percent of the murders of environmental leaders worldwide, according to the latest Global Witness report.
Between 2012 and 2023, at least 461 environmental defenders have been killed in Colombia, a country set to host COP16, the highest-level biodiversity summit.
teleSUR/ JF Source: EFE
