A record 212 were killed environmentalist in 2019 – an average of more than four deaths per week – according to a new report by the environmental organization Global Witness. Most murders have gone unpunished. With already 2,019 records for environmentalists, says the deadliest year Global Witness, the number of actual deaths is probably much higher because many cases go unreported. “Many of the worst violations of environmental and human rights around the world are driven by the exploitation of natural resources and corruption in the global political and economic system,” said Rachel Cox, a campaigner for Global Witness. Read more: because he has found the time to an entire issue of climate change Dedicated in the report that activists protesting against the development in the mining sector were the most at risk, followed with 50 demonstrators dead in 2019 by the agriculture sector . The timber industry has seen the highest increase of murders from 2018 with 85% recorded more attacks against activists. Half of the killings reported in 2019 was recorded at 64 and 43 deaths, respectively, in Colombia and the Philippines. Colombia has seen the largest number of environmental activists murders ever recorded in a single country since the data Global Witness in 2012. The Philippines has started to pick up, which was the deadliest country for environmentalists in 2018 will continue to be the country dangerous in Asia for environmental defenders. The report also found that two-thirds of the deaths in 2019 occurred in Latin America, which has been consistently the most dangerous continent for environmentalists are disproportionately killed for their environmental activism since 2012. The indigenous people account for 40% of deaths in Worldwide. From 2015 third deadly attacks on environmentalists (the world’s population account for only 5%) were against indigenous peoples. In Brazil, 90% of deaths reported in the country took place in the Amazon, where about half of life of indigenous peoples of the country. Women who have killed up over 10% of the activists also face gender-specific threats, such as sexual violence. The report warns that global lockdowns because of COVID 19-pandemic environmentalists to higher risks are set limiting it to their homes and makes them more vulnerable to attacks. Indigenous leader Omar and Ernesto Guasiruma from Colombia that protected the land of their ancestors, was killed while in their homes in March self-isolation are exposed to the virus. “If we really want to worry about plans for a green recovery that puts safety, health and welfare of people in their hearts, we must address the causes of attacks on defenders and follow to protect their lead in the environment and stop sharing climate, “said Cox. “Earth and environmental advocates that taking this position the people”. Picture copyright by Mauro Pimentel AFP / Getty Images
Record number of environmentalists in 2019 killed
