146 Land and Environmental Defenders Killed in 2024

Julia Francisco Martínez stands at the graveside of her husband Juan, a Honduran Indigenous defender who was found murdered in 2015.

At least 146 land and environmental defenders were murdered or forcibly disappeared in 2024 for standing up against powerful state and corporate interests, according to a new report released by Global Witness.

The findings, published under the title Roots of Resistance, expose a persistent global crisis that has claimed 2,253 lives since 2012 and show that violence against those protecting land, forests, and communities continues with little sign of justice.

Although the 2024 figure is lower than the 196 killings recorded in 2023, Global Witness cautioned that this does not represent progress. Instead, it reflects chronic underreporting, difficulties in verifying cases in conflict zones, and a climate of fear that silences victims’ families and communities.

Latin America remains the deadliest region, accounting for 80 per cent of cases. Colombia, Brazil, and Mexico were highlighted as the most dangerous countries for defenders, followed by the Philippines and India. The report stressed that Indigenous peoples, rural farmers, and women defenders are disproportionately targeted, facing threats ranging from intimidation to murder.

The research also highlighted how governments and corporations often collude to push through large-scale mining, logging, agribusiness, and infrastructure projects without community consent. Those who resist frequently encounter criminalisation, harassment, and smear campaigns in addition to physical attacks.

Global Witness called on governments to ensure accountability for these crimes, strengthen protections for defenders, and uphold commitments under international human rights law. The organisation also urged businesses to respect community land rights, conduct due diligence across supply chains, and stop benefitting from violence and intimidation.

The report concluded that, despite the scale of violence, communities worldwide continue to resist and protect the environment. Their courage, it said, “should inspire urgent action from governments, corporations, and international institutions to guarantee their safety and ensure justice.”